The Seattle Seahawks fanbase are not that far removed from looking at cornerback Riq Woolen as an immovable piece of their future, but the team's new-look defense has given them enough star power on that side of the ball to shop Woolen across the league in search of a better spot for the UTSA alum.
Woolen's decline under Mike Macdonald has been noticeable, but those physical gifts are good enough to get multiple teams with eyes on a championship interested in him.
Bleacher Report ranked Woolen at No. 6 overall on their NFL Trade Deadline Big Board, listing the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles as teams who could consider such a move. Of those two teams, Philly might be the more aggressive of the two in trying to work out a trade.
THe Eagles have more NFL Draft picks than they know what to do with, and Kelee Ringo just may be the single most disappointing player on the roster. The need for another corner is clear and obvious, which could lead Howie Roseman to work something out with Seattle.
Eagles listed as trade fit for Seahawks CB Riq Woolen at deadline
Even though the Eagles did just add a cornerback by bringing Michael Carter II into the fold, he is exclusively a slot cornerback and has been putrid this year. Woolen is an outside cornerback who can help keep Cooper DeJean locked in as the starting nickel without a ton of opposition.
Woolen's ballhawking tendencies can lead to him taking some unnecessary risks, but his combination of size and speed remains utterly unique across the entire NFL, and Vic Fangio might not be too ridiculous in thinking that his scheme might be what ultimately fixes the struggling player.
Seattle has one of the best young corners in the league in Devon Witherspoon, along with the resurgent Josh Jobe and a collection of specfic role-players. Woolen's loss might impact the room to some degree, but the overall integrity of the unit suggests they can stomach trading him away.
Considering how John Schneier has reversed his fortunes and started drafting well once more in recent years, getting a third-round pick for someone who is very clearly not in the long-term plans for this franchise could be a way to both trim some of the fat on the roster and improve the team's long-term outlook.