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Riq Woolen
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Tariq Woolen[1] (born May 2, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Woolen made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Woolen grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Arlington Heights High School. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) over offers from North Texas, Houston, and Texas State.[2]
College career
[edit]Woolen redshirted his freshman season at UTSA.[3] As a redshirt freshman wide receiver, he caught 15 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown.[4] Woolen started the first three games of his redshirt sophomore season before moving to the cornerback position.[5]
Woolen became a starter during his redshirt junior season and finished the year with 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks with four passes broken up and one interception.[6] Woolen had 25 tackles, 5 passes broken up, and one interception as a redshirt senior.[7] After the conclusion of his college career, Woolen was invited to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl.[8]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]At the 2022 NFL Combine, Woolen ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, tied for third-best in the Combine history and fastest for a player over six foot.[9][10] Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated had Woolen ranked as the eighth best cornerback available in the draft.[11]Scouts Inc. listed Woolen as the ninth best cornerback prospect (81st overall) on their big board.[12] NFL.com media analyst Daniel Jeremiah had him ranked as the 10th best cornerback (79th overall) in the draft.[13] Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report ranked him as the 10th best cornerback prospect (84th overall) in the draft.[14] Josh Edwards of CBSSports.com had him ranked as the 13th best cornerback (89th overall) available in the draft.[15] NFL media analyst Lance Zierlein projected Woolen to be selected in either the second or third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+1⁄8 in (1.93 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
33+5⁄8 in (0.85 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
4.26 s | 1.49 s | 2.49 s | 4.30 s | 7.10 s | 42.0 in (1.07 m) |
10 ft 11 in (3.33 m) |
12 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17] | ||||||||||||
2022
[edit]The Seattle Seahawks selected Woolen in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.[18] He was the 21st cornerback drafted in 2022 and was the second cornerback drafted by the Seahawks, following fourth round pick (102nd overall) Coby Bryant.
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On May 6, 2022, the Seahawks signed Woolen to a four–year, $3.99 million rookie contract that includes a signing bonus of $332,216.[19]
Throughout training camp, Woolen competed to be a starting cornerback against Artie Burns, Coby Bryant, Tre Brown, Mike Jackson, Justin Coleman, and John Reid.[20] On August 31, 2022, the Seahawks unexpectedly traded Sidney Jones to the Las Vegas Raiders, although he was expected to return as a starting cornerback. Head coach Pete Carroll subsequently named Woolen the No. 1 starting cornerback and paired him with Mike Jackson.[21]
On September 12, 2022, Woolen made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start in the Seattle Seahawks' home-opener against the Denver Broncos and made one solo tackle during their 17–16 victory. On September 25, 2022, Woolen made four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass by Marcus Mariota to wide receiver Drake London during a 23–27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.[22] In Week 4, Woolen recorded five combined tackles (four solo), a pass deflection, and returned an interception on a pass thrown by Jared Goff to tight end T. J. Hockenson 40–yards to score his first career touchdown on the opening play in the second half of a 48–45 win at the Detroit Lions.[23] In Week 5, he had his third consecutive game with an interception after picking off a pass thrown by Andy Dalton to wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith, while also recording four combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and recovering a fumble as the Seahawks lost 32–29 at the New Orleans Saints. On October 16, 2022, Woolen made five solo tackles, a pass deflection, a fumble recovery, and had his fourth consecutive game with an interception on a pass by Kyler Murray as the Seahawks defeated the Arizona Cardinals 19–9 in Week 6. He became the only rookie over the last 10 years to have four consecutive games with an interception.[24][25] He was named National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week for Week 6.[26] On December 4, 2022, Woolen collected a season-high seven combined tackles (six solo), set a season-high with three pass deflections, and had his sixth interception of the season on a pass thrown by John Wolford to wide receiver Kyren Williams during a 27–23 win at the Los Angeles Rams. He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team and earned Pro Bowl honors.[27][28] He started in all 17 games in his rookie season with a total 63 combined tackles (46 solo), 16 pass deflections, and tied for most interceptions in 2022 with six.[29][30] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[31] Pro Football Focus gave Woolen an overall grade of 69.1 in 2022, which ranked 35th among 120 qualifying cornerbacks. He earned a coverage grade of 74.1 from PFF, ranking 25th among 120 cornerbacks.[32]
The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2022 NFL season second in the NFC West with a 9–8 record, clinching a Wildcard berth. On January 14, 2023, Woolen started in his first career playoff game and made three solo tackles and a pass deflection as the Seahawks lost 23–41 at the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild-card Game.
2023
[edit]He returned as a starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt in 2023 and was paired with rookie first-round pick Devon Witherspoon. He was inactive for the Seahawks' 37–27 victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 due to a chest injury. In Week 11, he made three combined tackles (two solo), tied his season-high of two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Austin Trammell during a 16–17 loss at the Los Angeles Rams. On November 30, 2023, Woolen collected a season-high eight solo tackles and had two pass deflections as the Seahawks lost 35–41 at the Dallas Cowboys. He finished with 53 combined tackles (42 solo), two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games and 16 starts.[33] He received an overall grade of 67.1 from Pro Football Focus, ranking 53rd among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2023. His coverage grade of 75.0 from PFF was ranked 27th.[32]
2024
[edit]On January 31, 2024, the Seahawks announced the hiring of Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their head coach following the departure of Pete Carroll.[34] Defensive coordinator Aden Durde chose to retain Woolen and Devon Witherspoon as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.[35]
On September 8, 2024, Woolen started in the Seahawks' home-opener against the Denver Broncos and made three combined tackles (one solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Bo Nix to wide receiver Courtland Sutton during a 26–20 victory. He was inactive for two games (Weeks 6–7) due to an ankle injury.[36] In Week 14, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (five solo) and broke up a pass during a 30–18 win at the Arizona Cardinals. On December 22, 2024, Woolen had two combined tackles (one solo) and a season-high three pass deflections during a 24–27 loss against the Minnesota Vikings. The following week, Woolen recorded one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and had a game-sealing interception on a pass by Caleb Williams to wide receiver D. J. Moore in the last 20 seconds in the fourth quarter of a 6–3 victory at the Chicago Bears in Week 17. He finished the season with 46 combined tackles (32 solo), 14 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 15 games and 14 starts.[37] He received an overall grade of 67.9 from Pro Football Focus in 2024.
NFL career statistics
[edit]Source:[38]
Regular season
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Y/I | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | Y/R | TD | ||
| 2022 | SEA | 17 | 17 | 63 | 46 | 17 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 47 | 7.8 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 0 |
| 2023 | SEA | 16 | 15 | 53 | 42 | 11 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
| 2024 | SEA | 15 | 14 | 46 | 32 | 14 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | SEA | 6 | 6 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 48 | 46 | 162 | 120 | 42 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 41 | 11 | 58 | 7.8 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 1.8 | 0 | |
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TfL | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2022 | SEA | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ Bicks, Emily (August 8, 2023). "Seahawks CB Officially Changes Name Ahead of 2023 NFL Season". Heavy.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ Gosset, Brian (December 11, 2016). "FW Arlington Heights receiver commits to UTSA". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (April 30, 2022). "UTSA's Burford, Woolen taken on third day of NFL draft". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ Lopez, Selby (September 4, 2019). "5 things Baylor fans need to know about UTSA, including their freshman QB and a WR head coach Matt Rhule". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (September 1, 2021). "Converted wideout Tariq Woolen making mark at cornerback". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (September 1, 2021). "UTSA 'freak' athlete Tariq Woolen looking to make strides in second year at CB". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (December 20, 2021). "UTSA's Tariq Woolen declares for NFL draft, will skip Frisco Bowl". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (February 4, 2022). "UTSA's Burford, Woolen set for Senior Bowl showcase". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ Shannon, Chase (January 24, 2022). "Catching up with Tariq Woolen". FoxSanAntonio.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Luca, Greg (February 4, 2022). "UTSA's Spencer Burford, Tariq Woolen set for Senior Bowl showcase". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Kevin Hanson (March 24, 2022). "2022 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Cornerbacks". si.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "2022 NFL draft rankings: Scouts Inc.'s full board, grades". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Daniel Jeremiah (April 25, 2022). "Daniel Jeremiah's top 150 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class". NFL.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Tariq Woolen NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for UTSA CB". bleacherreport.com. April 26, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Josh Edwards (April 25, 2022). "2022 NFL Draft final prospect rankings: Aidan Hutchinson finishes No. 1 overall, four OL in the top 10". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Tariq Woolen Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Draft Scout Tariq Woolen, Texas-San Antonio NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Seahawks Select Texas-San Antonio CB Tariq Woolen With 153rd Overall Pick". Seahawks.com. April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Riq Woolen contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ Corbin K. Smith (July 24, 2022). "Seahawks 2022 Training Camp Preview: Who Steps Up in Wide Open Cornerback Competition". si.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ John Boyle (August 30, 2022). "A Position-By-Position Look At The Seahawks' Initial 2022 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Seahawks' Tariq Woolen: Grabs first career interception". CBSSports.com. September 27, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ "Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions - October 2nd, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ "Instant Lookback: Woolen Won't Stop". seahawks.com. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- ^ @NFLonCBS (October 17, 2022). "Tariq Woolen is the ONLY rookie over the last 10 years to record an interception in at least 4 consecutive games" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "2022 NFL Week 6 Leaders & Scores". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "2022 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "2022 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "2022 NFL Defense". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "Seahawks' Tariq Woolen: Makes DROY case". CBSSports.com. January 20, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "2022 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Will Seattle Seahawks CB Riq Woolen Return to Form in 2024?". si.com. June 24, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Riq Woolen 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ Boyle, John (January 31, 2024). "Mike Macdonald Named Head Coach Of The Seattle Seahawks". Seahawks.com. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ John Boyle (August 27, 2024). "A Position-By-Position Look At the Seahawks' Initial 2024 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Fox Sports: Riq Woolen". FoxSports.com. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ "Riq Woolen 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "Riq Woolen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Seattle Seahawks bio
- UTSA Roadrunners bio
Riq Woolen
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Riq Woolen was born on May 2, 1999, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the son of Jerome Woolen and Nola Davis, and has one older sister and one older brother.[4][9] Woolen grew up in Fort Worth, a city known for its deep-rooted football culture, where community youth programs and high school athletics play a central role in shaping young athletes.[10][11] His family encouraged participation in multiple sports from an early age, fostering his initial interests in football and basketball amid the competitive sports environment of North Texas.[12][13]High school career
Woolen attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he emerged as a multi-sport athlete known for his athletic prowess. During his high school years, he participated in football, basketball, and track, demonstrating versatility across disciplines.[2] In football, Woolen primarily played as a wide receiver and occasionally contributed on defense. As a senior in 2016, he led the team with 31 receptions for 536 yards, averaging 17.3 yards per catch, and scored 10 touchdowns, earning first-team All-District 7-5A honors.[13] He also recorded three solo tackles in limited defensive snaps that season.[6][14] Woolen further showcased his athleticism in basketball, where he was a standout player for the Yellowjackets, contributing to the team's efforts and highlighting his speed and leaping ability that later translated to other sports. His involvement in multiple sports underscored his overall talent and physical gifts.[15][16] Rated as a three-star recruit by major scouting services, Woolen received scholarship offers from several universities, including Baylor, Houston, Utah, and San Diego State, primarily for his wide receiver skills. He ultimately committed to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in December 2016, signing to play as a wide receiver.[17][18][19]College career
Early years at UTSA
Woolen enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in 2017, joining the Roadrunners' football program as a wide receiver after a high school career that showcased his versatility on offense. As a true freshman in 2017, Woolen appeared in one game before primarily redshirting the season to preserve eligibility while acclimating to the college level.[4][5] As a redshirt freshman in 2018, Woolen transitioned to a rotational role on offense, appearing in all 12 games with three starts. He finished the season with 15 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown, providing depth to UTSA's receiving corps amid a 7-5 campaign.[20] In his sophomore year of 2019, Woolen continued as a wide receiver but saw reduced playing time due to increased competition, participating in nine games without a start. He recorded nine catches for 105 yards, contributing modestly to an offense that struggled in Conference USA play during a 4-8 season.[21] Throughout his initial two active seasons at UTSA, Woolen remained primarily on offense with no significant defensive snaps, focusing on development in the wide receiver position before a later positional shift.[19]Transition to cornerback and breakout performance
In late 2019, during his redshirt sophomore season, Woolen transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback at the request of UTSA coaches to address depth needs on the defensive side of the ball.[22] Despite initial reluctance, he embraced the change to contribute to the team, drawing on his athletic background to adapt quickly.[22] Woolen made an immediate impact in his first full season at cornerback in 2020, appearing in 11 games with seven starts and recording 35 tackles—including 20 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss—along with one interception and four pass breakups.[23] His performance helped solidify UTSA's secondary as the Roadrunners finished 7-5 and earned a berth in the First Responder Bowl.[4] As a redshirt senior in 2021, Woolen emerged as a standout, starting all nine games he played before an injury sidelined him late in the season, and tallied 25 tackles (17 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.[23] His coverage skills and physicality were key to UTSA's dominant defense, which forced 25 turnovers and limited opponents to 114.7 rushing yards per game on the way to a 12-2 record, a Conference USA championship, and an appearance in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl—though Woolen opted out of the postseason game to focus on NFL preparation.[4] His breakout campaign earned him an invitation to the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl, where he showcased his rare size-speed combination (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) against top competition. Scouts recognized Woolen as one of the premier small-school cornerback prospects in the draft class, praising his ball skills and upside despite coming from a non-power conference program.[19]Professional career
Pre-draft process
Riq Woolen demonstrated elite athletic traits at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he measured 6 feet 4 inches tall and 205 pounds. He recorded a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, tying for the fourth-fastest time in combine history across all positions and the fastest among defensive backs that year. His 42-inch vertical jump ranked second overall at the event, highlighting his explosive lower-body power. Woolen opted not to participate in the bench press, 3-cone drill, or 20-yard shuttle, focusing instead on his speed and jumping metrics to build on his college transition to cornerback.[24][25][26] Following the combine, Woolen participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, earning positive attention from scouts for his physical tools despite mixed practice performances against top competition. At UTSA's pro day on March 23, 2022, he conducted a limited workout that included 12 bench press repetitions and position-specific drills, while meeting with representatives from several NFL teams to discuss his development potential. These pre-draft evaluations amplified interest in Woolen as a raw but physically gifted prospect, particularly after his senior-year breakout with six interceptions at cornerback.[27][28][29] Scouting reports consistently highlighted Woolen's imposing frame—6 feet 4 inches with 33⅝-inch arms—paired with rare speed that allowed him to cover deep threats effectively, but critiqued his inexperience, having played cornerback for only two college seasons after stints at wide receiver and safety. Analysts noted technical shortcomings, such as inconsistent footwork, ball-tracking issues, and below-average instincts in zone coverage, attributing them to his limited reps at the position. Despite these concerns, his athletic profile suggested significant developmental upside as an outside corner with press-man potential.[30][23][29] Pre-draft projections positioned Woolen as a mid-round pick, typically in the third or fourth round, valued for his "boom" potential as a long-term starter if coached properly, though some scouts debated his readiness due to the transition from a smaller program like UTSA.[22][31]2022 season
Woolen was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Texas at San Antonio. Despite being a late-round pick with a non-traditional path to the position, he earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster following training camp and debuted in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[2] Injuries to starting cornerbacks opened the door for Woolen, who transitioned into a full-time starter by Week 5, showcasing his elite speed and ball skills. Over 17 games (11 starts), he amassed 47 combined tackles (30 solo), 14 passes defended, and 6 interceptions for 74 return yards, tying for the NFL lead among cornerbacks.[2] His interceptions highlighted a breakout rookie campaign, including two against divisional rival Washington in Week 6—one returned 42 yards for a touchdown—and additional picks versus the New York Giants (Week 10), Indianapolis Colts (Week 13), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 16), and Washington again in Week 18. Woolen's contributions bolstered the Seahawks' defense, which ranked fifth in the league in points allowed (20.1 per game) and third in total yards permitted (308.8 per game), helping secure a 12-5 record and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. In the postseason, he recorded an interception in the Wild Card win over Tampa Bay but the Seahawks fell in the Divisional Round to San Francisco. For his performance, Woolen earned a Pro Bowl selection.[32]2023 season
In 2023, Woolen solidified his role as a full-time starting cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, appearing in all 16 regular-season games with 15 starts. He recorded 53 total tackles (42 solo), 11 passes defended, and 2 interceptions, along with 2 fumble recoveries, marking a shift toward more consistent run support compared to his interception-heavy rookie campaign.[33] Despite the drop in turnovers from his league-leading 6 interceptions as a rookie, Woolen's tackling efficiency improved, as evidenced by his contributions in limiting opponents' rushing success on his coverage snaps.[34] Woolen delivered several standout performances, including his first interception of the season in Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, where he picked off quarterback P.J. Walker in the red zone to halt a scoring drive.[35] In Week 11 versus the Los Angeles Rams, he secured his second interception by undercutting a deep trick-play pass from Matthew Stafford intended for Cooper Kupp, showcasing his ball skills and speed. Throughout training camp and practices, Woolen frequently matched up against elite wide receiver, refining his technique against high-caliber route-runners and contributing to the Seahawks' secondary cohesion. Early in the season, Woolen dealt with a minor chest injury in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals but missed no games, allowing him to maintain his starting role opposite DaRon Bland amid adjustments in the Seahawks' defensive scheme under coordinator Dan Quinn. The secondary as a whole adapted to increased man-coverage responsibilities, with Woolen logging over 1,000 defensive snaps while helping limit quarterbacks to a 92.3 passer rating when targeted. The Seahawks concluded the regular season with a 12-5 record, clinching the NFC West title and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs. Woolen started in their wild-card loss to the Green Bay Packers, where he tallied 4 tackles before the 48-32 defeat ended Seattle's postseason run.[36]2024 season
In his third NFL season, Riq Woolen solidified his role as a starting cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks, appearing in 15 games with 14 starts. He recorded 46 combined tackles, including 32 solo stops, while leading the team with 14 passes defended and tying for the lead with three interceptions. These figures marked an improvement in his ball production compared to prior years, contributing to the Seahawks' defensive efforts amid a scheme shift under new coordinator Mike Zimmer, who emphasized more aggressive press coverage and physicality at the line of scrimmage.[2] Woolen's interceptions came at pivotal moments, including a Week 1 pick on Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to set an early tone for the secondary, a Week 9 interception of [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams) passer Matthew Stafford intended for wide receiver Puka Nacua during a divisional clash, and a Week 17 desperation-heave grab off Chicago Bears rookie Caleb Williams to help seal a late-season win. In a Week 3 mic'd-up segment against the Miami Dolphins, Woolen confidently noted opponents were "scared to throw my way," reflecting his growing reputation as a shutdown presence against elite receivers. His performance helped the Seahawks' defense rank among the league's top units in pass defense efficiency, allowing him to shadow top wideouts like those from the Rams and Bears effectively.[37][38][39][40] As Woolen entered the final stages of his rookie contract— a four-year, $3.99 million deal signed in 2022— discussions around a potential extension began in the latter half of 2024, positioning him as a restricted free agent candidate for 2026 if no long-term agreement was reached. The Seahawks viewed his development as central to their defensive evolution, with Woolen logging over 800 snaps primarily on the boundary, adapting to Zimmer's man-heavy scheme that reduced underneath vulnerabilities from previous seasons. His versatility also included a forced fumble in run support, underscoring his all-around impact.[41]2025 season
In the 2025 season, Riq Woolen has appeared in eight games for the Seattle Seahawks as of November 14, 2025, recording 25 total tackles (19 solo), six passes defended, and zero interceptions.[42][2] His contributions have reflected a slower start compared to prior years, with limited ball production amid adjustments in the Seahawks' defensive scheme under coordinator Aden Durde.[43] Woolen faced early challenges, including losing his starting role to cornerback Josh Jobe in recent weeks, which fueled trade speculation ahead of the November 4 deadline.[44] However, he remained with the team after multiple inquiries from other clubs, delivering his strongest performance of the season in Week 9 against the Washington Commanders—a 38–14 victory where he earned an 82.7 PFF grade for his coverage and run support. In Week 10, he added three tackles and two passes defended in a 44-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals.[45] No major injuries have sidelined him this year.[46] Entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, Woolen is earning a base salary of $1,100,000 in 2025, with no extension agreed upon yet.[41] His resurgence has bolstered Seattle's secondary at a key moment, contributing to the team's 7–2 record and first-place standing in the NFC West, positioning the Seahawks strongly for playoff contention as they head into the second half of the season.[47][48]Career statistics and records
Regular season
Riq Woolen has appeared in 56 regular-season games over four NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, starting in 53 of them. His defensive contributions as a cornerback emphasize coverage skills, highlighted by a league-leading performance in interceptions during his rookie year. Tackles have remained consistent, averaging approximately 50 combined tackles per full season, reflecting his role in run support alongside pass defense.| Year | Team | G | GS | Combined Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defended | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | SEA | 17 | 17 | 63 | 46 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | SEA | 16 | 15 | 53 | 42 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024 | SEA | 15 | 14 | 46 | 32 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 1 |
| 2025 | SEA | 8 | 7 | 25 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Career | - | 56 | 53 | 187 | 140 | 47 | 0 | 11 | 47 | 1 |
