As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the rumor mill continues to heat up, and one name drawing attention is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen.
According to Bleacher Report, the Las Vegas Raiders have been listed as a potential trade fit for the young defensive back, with a projected trade value of a 2026 conditional fourth-round pick.
While it may seem surprising for Seattle to consider moving on from the 26-year-old former Pro Bowl corner, recent developments suggest the possibility is real.
Las Vegas Raiders Emerge as Logical Trade Fit For Seahawks CB Riq Woolen
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on X that teams are actively monitoring Woolen’s situation.
With Seahawks star CB Devon Whiterspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline, sources tell The Insiders,” Rapoport said. “Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available.”
After bursting onto the scene as a rookie in 2022, Woolen quickly became one of the NFL’s premier young cornerbacks, allowing just a 48.7 passer rating when targeted and finishing tied for the league lead with six interceptions.
However, as the Seahawks‘ system changed under head coach Mike Macdonald, Woolen’s fit became less clear. Despite his 6’4″, 210-pound frame and elite speed, his production has dipped.
Still, his overall resume remains impressive: 11 interceptions, 42 pass deflections, and 176 total tackles in 52 career games. For a corner entering his prime, those numbers make him an enticing target for teams searching for stability and upside in the secondary, which fits what the Raiders need.
Why the Raiders Make Sense as a Trade Destination
The Raiders‘ secondary has been one of their biggest weak spots this season, and acquiring Woolen could immediately strengthen their pass defense. One of Las Vegas’ current starting cornerbacks, Kyu Blu Kelly, has struggled mightily in coverage.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly has just a 57 overall grade, ranking 100th out of 164 qualified cornerbacks. Those struggles have often left the Raiders vulnerable to big plays on the perimeter, something that’s plagued them throughout the early part of the 2025 season.
Bringing in a player like Woolen could help remedy those issues. Having played under head coach Pete Carroll in the past, he’s excelled on the perimeter by using his length and ball skills to his advantage. Woolen’s ability to track the ball downfield and create turnovers would complement the pass rush led by Maxx Crosby, helping the Raiders turn more defensive stops into game-changing plays.
For Seattle, moving Woolen might not be ideal, but with Witherspoon returning and the emergence of other young cornerbacks, the Seahawks could see value in flipping him for future draft capital.
Ultimately, the Raiders should be interested in the potential availability of Riq Woolen, and if he does become available before the trade deadline, Las Vegas should be one of the first teams on the phone.
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