Riq Woolen
Summary
Tariq Woolen was selected in Round 5 (#153 Overall) out of University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA). Woolen is a highly intriguing young cornerback whose standout traits are his unparalleled combination of size, speed and ball skills. He shows big‑play ability and recovery range that most corners can’t match. His main areas for improvement involve technical mastery (especially at the line of scrimmage), more consistent run‑defense engagement, and leveraging his frame better in tight‑space matchups. If he continues his upward trajectory, he could become a foundational piece in the Seahawks’ secondary for years to come.
Strengths
Elite athleticism: Woolen recorded a 4.26‑second 40‑yard dash and a 42″ vertical at the combine, which combined with his 6′4″ frame gives him rare tools for the cornerback position.
Length + recovery speed: His height, arm length and straight‑line speed allow him to recover when beaten early or cover deep threats—especially in zone coverage. Bleacher Report
Ball skills & big‑play ability: Woolen showed ability to bait quarterbacks into mistakes and make interceptions/pick‑sixes early in his career.
Coverage range and zone awareness: Particularly in off‑man or zone schemes, he displays good discipline and ability to read the quarterback’s eyes, resulting in pass breakups and turnovers. Field Gulls
Weaknesses
Raw technique & limited experience: Having only converted to corner relatively recently, Woolen was noted for needing development in press‑coverage technique, hip transitions, and route‑recognition. Bleacher Report
Press/line play vulnerabilities: Reports indicated he sometimes struggles with press releases, alignment, setting up receivers, and transitioning smoothly out of breaks.
Run‑defense / block engagement: Some critiques cite lack of strength or block‑shedding in run support, which can limit his effectiveness in heavier schemes or when asked to anchor near the line.
Consistency & over‑aggressiveness: At times he has been flagged for being too aggressive, biting on fakes or losing leverage in one‑on‑one battles, which leads to separation by receivers. Bleacher Report
Fit & Outlook
Tariq Woolen fits best as a long, rangy corner in a defense that uses zone or off‑man coverage, allowing him to leverage his length, speed and range rather than forcing him into press man exclusively. With the Seahawks, he projects as a starting boundary corner capable of making splash plays while continuing to refine his technique. In the short term, Woolen’s upside is very high—if he continues to develop his press technique, hip fluidity, and consistency in tackling/run support, he could become one of the game’s more impactful corners. Even if some growth is slower, his athletic ceiling and early production give him the floor of a very good starter. The key will be his continued technical refinement and consistent application of his physical gifts.