Seahawks' Tariq Woolen Overlooked in CB Rankings?
How much more underrated can Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen get after a stellar campaign as fifth-round rookie this past season?
It still seems that not all analysts are sold on Woolen just yet after an impressive rookie season. Pro Football Focus recently revealed its rankings for the top-32 cornerbacks in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.
But despite his strong rookie showing, PFF's rankings did not have Woolen in the top-15. Instead, they had him slot in at No. 16 overall.
"Still very young to the cornerback position, Woolen showed as a rookie the stellar potential that his athletic profile puts on the table," PFF writes. "Six interceptions flattered his stat line a little, but he showed more than enough to suggest that there is elite play in his future. Woolen allowed just a 72.1 passer rating on the season."
Woolen's six interceptions tied him for most in the league and set a Seahawks franchise record for most by a rookie. Woolen's 63 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries, to go along with his ball skills, were enough to see him voted into the Pro Bowl, yet not worthy of being considered a top-15 corner.
Looking at the guy ranked right ahead of him, Tre'Davious White of the Buffalo Bills, it is fair to question whether PFF is rating him above Woolen due to what he has done over his career rather than judging him off of last season.
Although ultimately, for Seahawks fans, it might not matter as going under the radar was a role the team embraced last season as they made an unexpected playoff appearance. Even after the breakout season of Woolen, the Seahawks added to their secondary in the NFL Draft by using their No. 5 overall pick on Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon, giving Seattle its two perimeter corners for potentially the next decade.
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