Steelers CB Ahkello Witherspoon believes man-coverage is his forte, not Cover-3
When news broke that Pittsburgh Steelers GM Kevin Colbert traded for four-year veteran CB Akhello Witherspoon, the first word that came to mind was…STEAL!!!
The Steelers literally stole him from the Seahawks. A low-risk but high-reward play, Colbert only yielded a 2023 5th-round pick. He understood this upcoming 2022 NFL CB draft class is weak. He knows it won’t be much better the following season.
Getting a boundary CB with man-coverage ability is rare. Peeling back another layer of the onion to get to the core, and it’s Witherspoon’s combination of height, weight, speed, and length, that has me on the hype train. I’m a believer and so seems Colbert.
Steelers beat writers had the opportunity to meet Witherspoon for the first time on Monday. Here are some news, quotes, and notes along with my in-depth analysis on my expectations for the Colorado product.
Witherspoon on scheme-fit with Steelers:
“Definitely, much different. But something that I think fits my skill-set well and I’m excited, to kinda switch up what I’ve been doing the last four years.”
Why does Witherspoon believe the Steelers scheme may be better for him?
“I think just a lot of man-coverage is important for my game. And then just switching it up, giving the QB different looks so we’re not predictable.
Witherspoon is telling the truth!!!
Shortly after being drafted in the third-round (No. 66) of the 2017 NFL draft, I asked Witherspoon what other teams interviewed him during the evaluation process, I quickly found out the teams he named were press teams. His forte is his man-coverage ability as NFL scouts and management covet his physical traits.
The 49ers and Seahawks both use a simplistic Cover-3 scheme. It’s where the boundary cornerback’s main objective is to play their respective 1/3 of the field with a single-high safety.
This cover shell is considered a run-stopping defense due to the SS roaming closer to the line of scrimmage. We see it with Seahawks SS Jamal Adams and 49ers SS Jaquiski Tartt.
Furthermore, the zone coverage limits the big plays while giving up the shorter ones. A bend but don’t break type of defense.
The Steelers operate more of a Cover-1 and 2-man under. It calls for more press-man technique while tackling a more aggressive approach. That does not dismiss them from Cover-3. They often play that cover shell as well, taking advantage of FS Minkah Fitzpatrick’s range while hiding SS Terrell Edmunds’ weakness in coverage.
In fact, in my grading system, last year, HC Mike Tomlin and DC Keith Butler called the three-deep look more times than not on third-downs. How did last year’s starting boundary cornerbacks fare?
You can read my CB Joe Haden’s article by clicking here or click the article above while I posted my YouTube video on the other starting CB Steven Nelson below:
As for Witherspoon, you would know that he graded out extremely well in my grading system last year. If you missed that article and how it relates to this one, please check my grades on the Colorado product below, immediately after the trade was made. (including exclusive video footage).
I covered him extensively as one of the 49ers beat writers and Witherspoon has always displayed the physical traits to win early in the down as a press corner. After watching the Steelers beat writers interview the new addition, it appeared they were trying to gauge his fit in the Steelers system. Some appeared to be skeptical.
I can see why. Witherspoon was just released by the team he viewed as being one of the starters going into 2021. Not only that but the Seahawks invested $2.5M in guaranteed money. GM John Schneider basically took an L just to wipe his hands clean of Witherspoon. Ultimately, I believe it will backfire.
For those who are wondering if Witherspoon is just another CB Justin Gilbert afterthought, think again. For one, I was never high on Gilbert, to begin with, and two, Witherspoon’s skill set and football IQ are much more appealing. (see my tweet below from 2014)
To play a little bit of devil’s advocate, Colbert's track record hasn’t been the best when drafting cornerbacks or acquiring via trade.
In 2015, he missed on players such as CB Senquez Golson and CB Doran Grant, drafting them in the 2nd-round (No. 56) and 4th-round (No. 121) respectively.
The following year, he missed again, trading for Gilbert and selecting 1st-round pick (No. 25) CB Artie Burns.
In 2019, he selected CB Justin Lane in the 3rd-round (No. 83) and now appears to be on the outside looking in, like Golson and Grant were just a few years prior. Basically sitting ducks.
But I believe Witherspoon will break that mold. From a physical standpoint, he has that box checked. From a pure-man coverage ability perspective, he has it. It’s just a matter of taking advantage of the opportunity that presents itself.
While I do like both CB Cam Sutton and CB James Pierre starting opposite of CB Joe Haden, I believe Witherspoon will push them for the starting job. A true shutdown cornerback with the ability to win those 50-50 balls at the catch point is rare.
Witherspoon checks off all the boxes and will prove to be an asset rather than a liability for the Steelers in 2021.
Predicted stat line: 24 tackles, 2 INTs, 9 PBUs, and QBPR allowed: 63.8.
BEASTwriter+ is subscription-based and FREE for the first month of the NFL season. Join our FREE newsletter to stay up to date on all things NFL, by clicking link below: