The San Francisco 49ers could use cornerback depth for next year, and the team could benefit from a player who didn’t get traded during Tuesday’s trade deadline.
That’s because the Seattle Seahawks, which didn’t trade cornerback Riq Woolen, could part ways with the former Pro Bowler after the end of his four-year, $3.99 million rookie contract when 2026 free agency hits. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named the 49ers as a potential suitor and noted that Woolen has plenty of promise despite regression from his big rookie season in 2022.
“For whatever reason, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has soured on cornerback Riq Woolen over the past couple of years, leading to plenty of trade buzz centered on the 26-year-old,” Knox wrote.
Knox noted that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler learned from an executive that Woolen “doesn’t fit” Macdonald’s defensive scheme. San Francisco could make Woolen fit, but it will take more money than a trade. Knox floated a four-year, $72 million contract as a possible asking price for Woolen’s services. That’s similar to the Spotrac projection for Woolen of $16.2 million annually or a four-year, $64.96 million contract.
“Charvarius Ward’s $18 million-per-season contract from last offseason should provide a baseline for Woolen’s next contract,” Knox noted.
Niners Could Pay For Riq Woolen, But Could Face Bidding War
San Francisco could afford it, amid a projected $53.94 million for salary cap space next year. On the field, Woolen would benefit the 49ers’ secondary as he would multiple teams. In his career, Woolen has 11 interceptions, 45 pass deflections, a forced fumble, and 184 tackles.
San Francisco has cornerback needs amid inconsistent play this season. The Niners have quality in Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, and Upton Stout, but the team needs more talent in the defensive backfield. In particular, the Niners only have one interception this season, and Woolen is a player who tallied at least two in every previous season of his career.
“Woolen will fit what plenty of teams are looking for on defense. He’s a 6’4″, 210-pound defensive back with 11 interceptions on his resume,” Knox wrote. “As a rookie in 2022, the Texas-San Antonio product allowed an opposing passer rating of only 48.7 in coverage.”
Whether or not the 49ers would need to outbid the Seahawks is a question since the Seahawks are projected for $88 million in salary cap room in 2026. Knox also identified the Los Angeles Rams as suitors for Woolen, and the Rams could have $98.19 million of cap room next year.
Seattle Not Trading Riq Woolen Could Be a Good Sign For the Future
Seattle didn’t trade Woolen due in part to being playoff contention, and both the Seahawks and Rams sit ahead of the 49ers (6-3) in the NFC West standings at 6-2, and that’s despite his quiet season of 22 tackles and four pass deflections thus far. The Seahawks also clearly still see value in a player who took off as a rookie with six interceptions as a Pro Bowler in 2022.
Woolen hasn’t matched that level of success since his rookie year, but he has put together solid seasons. He had two picks, 42 tackles, 11 pass deflections in 2023, and Woolen then had three picks, 46 tackles, and 14 pass deflections in 2024.
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