Stop me if you have heard this one before: The Seattle Seahawks have found a stud young defensive back in the later rounds of an NFL draft. No, I am not talking about Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman or Byron Maxwell. The latest addition to this lineage of DBs is second-year pro Riq Woolen.
Woolen, who tied the league lead with six interceptions as a rookie, certainly turned plenty of heads. A fifth-round pick, Woolen arguably outplayed Sauce Gardner, who was the top cornerback taken in last year’s draft. Many believe Woolen should have been Defensive Rookie of the Year instead of the Jets star.
It is clear Woolen is a rising star in this league with incredible potential for greatness. But don’t take my word for it — take head coach Pete Carroll’s.
Pete Carroll just now talking about #Seahawks CB Riq Woolen: "I've never coached anybody who has as many skills as he has."
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 17, 2023
If there is one thing (among many) Carroll knows, it is defensive backs. Carroll revolutionized secondaries in the NFL with the Legion of Boom, and it sure looks like he is trying to re-create the next-generation L.O.B. with this current squad.
The centerpiece of it will be Woolen.
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