Riq Woolen’s journey with the Seattle Seahawks has elicited mixed reactions since his draft in 2022. Initially, fans were thrilled to have discovered a potential long-term shutdown cornerback in the fifth round, especially after he led the NFL with six interceptions during his rookie season. However, his performance has fluctuated in the seasons that followed, with a noticeable decline in both interceptions and overall impact on the field.
Following an impressive rookie campaign, Woolen’s numbers dropped significantly, recording only five interceptions over the past three seasons. While he maintained solid coverage, the standout aggression that characterized his early play appeared to wane, particularly after a knee injury ahead of his second season. This led to a concerning trend where he became less involved in run defense, leading to questions about his long-term role with the team.
In 2025, Woolen faced challenges early in the season, resulting in his losing reps to teammate Josh Jobe in two cornerback sets. While he wasn’t officially benched by head coach Mike Macdonald, concerns arose about his status as a starter and financial implications as he heads into free agency after the season.
However, recent statistics from Pro Football Focus (PFF) paint a different picture. Woolen has emerged as the second-best “lockdown” defensive back this season, trailing only Sauce Gardner from the Indianapolis Colts. PFF defines “lockdown” coverage based on how often a defensive back prevents receivers from gaining separation. Woolen has proven effective, achieving lockdown status 65% of the time out of 100 chances this season.
Notably, Woolen’s performance has visibly improved as the season progressed. In his first five games, he allowed 13 out of 18 targets to be completed for 183 yards with a touchdown. In contrast, over the last four games, he allowed only 10 completions on 25 targets for just 69 yards and one touchdown, which came from an exceptional route by Davante Adams of the Los Angeles Rams.
This resurgence in form bodes well for Woolen as he approaches free agency. If he continues to build on this momentum, it could lead to significant financial rewards this offseason, whether with the Seahawks or elsewhere. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, hoping for the sustained high-level performance that initially captivated the 12s and built expectations for his future in the NFL.