Years ago, the Seattle Seahawks had huge plans for Riq Woolen. Unfortunately, the former fifth-round pick couldn't keep the momentum going after his incredible rookie season, and he went from budding star to a likely free agency departure.
The Seahawks aren't likely to do much to keep Woolen in town. That said, he's still young at 26, and there's always a market for athletic cornerbacks. He also comes with a Super Bowl pedigree, and that can always help a player's case.
In a recent column, Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer predicted that Woolen will end up with the New York Jets, citing Aaron Glenn's team to add more depth at cornerback after shockingly trading Sauce Gardner last season:
"The Jets are no strangers to tapping into Seattle for cornerback help (see D.J. Reed) and will do it again for a big cover man to please Aaron Glenn, and to also raise the big-play quotient," Iyer explained.
The Seattle Seahawks won't miss Riq Woolen, but they're thin at CB
For starters, it's worth noting that Woolen lost his status as an undisputed starter this season. While he played in 16 regular-season games, he only made seven starts.
He comes with a Pro-Bowl selection under his belt, but he's combined for six total interceptions in the three years since he co-led the league with six as a rookie. That's one of several reasons why he's a likely odd man out in Seattle.
However, even if the Seahawks didn't intend to bring him back -- which, given their salary cap situation, they can afford to do so -- the timing of his potential departure couldn't be worse. Fellow CB Josh Jobe is also slated to hit free agency, and with a projected market value of $9.7 million a year, general manager John Schneider might also let the former practice squad player walk.
Even if that's not the case and the Seahawks keep Jobe, the team would be extremely thin at cornerback with Woolen's departure. They have a budding star in Devon Witherspoon on the other side of the field, with Nehemiah Pritchett as his only backup.
Nick Emmanwori will handle things in the Nickel, but with Coby Bryant also potentially leaving, he'll likely spend most of the time at strong safety. The Seahawks' secondary played a pivotal role in their Super Bowl, and they may have plenty of holes to fill in the depth chart after free agency.
According to Over The Cap, the Seahawks currently have $58 million in available cap space, so, again, they can afford to re-sign their own free agents. However, history suggests they will allow them to test the market and get back to them with an offer sheet. If the number is a little too high, they will thank them for their services.
That's not to say that they should bend over backwards to re-sign Woolen. Spotrac projects his next contract at $8.2 million per year.
But after watching him miss 11 tackles with a dreadful PFF (subscription required) tackle grade of 36.7, give up a passer rating of 78.9 when targeted, allow 39 catches, and give up three touchdowns despite coming off the bench for most of the season, there may not be many incentives to keep him around.