The Seahawks, under new leadership, showed interest in Auburn’s 2023 defense and selected two cornerbacks from the program in the NFL draft. Nehemiah Pritchett was chosen with the 136th overall pick in the fifth round, while DJ James was picked with the 192nd pick in the sixth round. Pritchett, a 6’0⅛” cornerback who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, primarily played on the outside last season, with only 13% of his snaps coming in the slot.
Pritchett describes himself as a physical player who doesn’t shy away from contact and focuses on disrupting the opponent. He had a solid performance last season, allowing 12 catches on 26 targets for 134 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Over his five seasons with Auburn, Pritchett maintained an opponent passer rating of 69.2. The Seahawks clearly saw potential in his skills and decided to draft him based on his performance at Auburn.
Overall, it is clear that Pritchett is an athletic and confident player who aligns well with the old-school Seattle mentality. His aggressive playing style will be a valuable asset to their defense in upcoming seasons.
DJ James was also selected by the Seahawks with pick number 192 in round six. He is a smaller cornerback at 5’8”, but he has shown great speed and agility during his time at Auburn.
The Seahawks have shown interest in Auburn’s defensive talent for years now, and their decision to pick up two cornerbacks from the program suggests that they are committed to building a strong defense around this talented group of players.
In conclusion, both Pritchett and James have shown promise as defensive backs during their time at Auburn, and their selection by the Seahawks is a testament to their talent and potential as professional players. With these additions to their roster, it looks like Seattle is set to have a solid defense for years to come.