As the NFL trade deadline approaches on November 4, buzz around the league is pointing to Seattle Seahawks Riq Woolen as one of the most likely candidates to be moved.
His rumored exit centers on his performance as it does on his fit in head coach Mike Macdonald’s impressive defense. Woolen has shown his success in man coverage, but Macdonald primarily sticks to zones, hence Woolen’s worsening stat sheet.
In six games, Woolen is on pace for his worst season in coverage, allowing 57% of passes in his coverage area to be completed for 203 yards and a score. The talk of his snap share going down has been somewhat exaggerated, but he has played 92% of the defensive snaps in the games he’s played. All things considered, though, Woolen hasn’t lost value across the league, just in Seattle.
Still, general manager John Schneider is in a weird spot. He’s shown through the years his willingness to make moves at the trade deadline, but it’s usually to acquire talent, not ship it away. But right guards aren’t exactly the first position teams are willing to move at the deadline. So the allure to move Woolen to acquire an extra draft pick to address the offensive line or other depth issues grows.
Riq Woolen's best landing spot may not be in the Seattle Seahawks' best interest
Plenty of teams have been rumored to have an interest or need Woolen’s services, but there may be no more obvious bargaining partner than the Green Bay Packers.
Granted, the Packers already moved a weight of capital to upgrade their defense ahead of the season in a move for Micah Parsons, but it didn’t help fill the void in their secondary. Their defense has faced the most pass attempts in the league despite Parsons’ presence. Some of that is due to playing with leads, but the Packers have nonetheless fallen to 20th in passing touchdowns allowed while ranking just 25th in interceptions.
The Packers need cornerback help badly, especially someone who can snag a few interceptions. Well, Woolen has 11 in his career, eight of which came before Macdonald took over the defense in Seattle. In Green Bay, Jeff Hafley’s defense, playing man coverage behind its stunts up front, would prove a more beneficial home for Woolen.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen suggested there is a 50% chance Seattle moves Woolen at the deadline, though the Packers weren’t among the teams they suggested may make a move for him. But he’s certainly someone Packers fans are keeping an eye on as he might be the best fit for their defense at an affordable price.
There’d be plenty of surprise if Green Bay doesn’t call his office, so it’ll be up to Schneider to make the call, especially considering the Packers are another playoff contender to compete with. However, it might be the best move for Woolen, and it could reap a bigger and faster benefit than simply letting him hit free agency and banking a compensatory pick.