Discount Devon Witherspoon? Why Bears Are Showing Major Interest In Rising CB
Cornerback isn’t discussed a lot among the Chicago Bears’ roster needs going into the draft as much as defensive line and safety. Perhaps it should be. After all, they lost Nahshon Wright to free agency. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both suffered multiple injury setbacks last year. Tyrique Stevenson is in the last year of his contract. Zah Frazier hasn’t played a down yet. There is a lot of uncertainty around the position. Odds are higher than we realize that they will add to the position in the draft next month. So, how about a possible starter kit version of Devon Witherspoon?
The Seattle Seahawks’ star cornerback might not be the standard template for the position compared to others, but he’s established his reputation as a relentless, hard-nosed warrior who fights to win every single snap. It appears the Bears may be interested in a player who exhibits similar traits. Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes revealed recently to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated that he had a formal interview with the team. It isn’t hard to see why.
I’ve met with a good amount of teams. I had roughly 14 formal interviews at the NFL Combine, with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, both New York teams [Giants and Jets], and others.
I’ve been on a few in-person visits already, with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, and I have a few more coming up. I’ve been excited to see these facilities and meet with these coaches.
Stukes is Devon Witherspoon if he were older and less hyped.
The cornerback is already 24 years old, having spent six seasons in college. Don’t take that as a sign he wasn’t productive. Stukes earned a reputation as a physical, relentless player who also served as the unquestioned heart and soul of the defense. Everybody looked to him for leadership and guidance. That came both from his natural personality and his intense work ethic. Nobody studied more film and prepared harder each week. It showed on Saturdays with his ability to identify what opposing receivers tried to do with their route combinations.
On top of that, he’s a phenomenal athlete. Stukes blew up the scouting combine last month with a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump. Such juice, while also being 6’1″, makes it easy to understand why the Bears like him. Secondary coach Al Harris is a big proponent of long and athletic cornerbacks. We saw that last year with Wright and Frazier. Stukes is built the same way, but is much more physical as a run defender. He seems tailor-made for a city like Chicago.
Stukes also gives the Bears options at a critical position.
While there were plenty of problems with the defense last year, arguably the biggest was their slot coverage. Opponents routinely exposed them in that area, largely because Gordon was injured most of the season. Amon-Ra St. Brown in particular gave them nightmares. They have to improve their slot coverage. Stukes is equipped for that job. It was often his responsibility for Arizona and he handled it well. The tricky part for him as his pro career unfolds will be improving his man coverage.
Right now, Stukes is more of a zone corner. That is the main difference between him and Devon Witherspoon. The eventual 1st round pick was good at both. Stukes has some technique issues that have held him back from being a complete player. Thankfully, Harris is one of the best man coverage coaches in the business. It’s been his calling card for years. Nobody is more qualified to help the young corner get over that hump. If the Bears go down this road, look for his name to be called somewhere on day two.