The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions are two teams to keep an eye on when it comes to those who could be in the market for a cornerback at the trade deadline.
The Lions have been absolutely ravaged by injuries at the position. Starters Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed are both hurt, and even their backups, Khalil Dorsey, Avonte Maddox and Enis Rakestraw Jr., are dealing with injuries.
In Dallas, the Cowboys are healthy at cornerback, but Kaiir Elam has been a sieve on the boundary, so Dallas could no doubt use an upgrade for what is one of the league's worst defenses.
If the Cowboys and Lions want to improve their respective situations, they may want to give the Seattle Seahawks a call about cornerback Riq Woolen, who was named a trade candidate by Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox.
Knox believes the Lions and Cowboys could be trade partners for the former Pro Bowler, who he estimates will cost a 2026 third-round pick.
"Woolen is an impending free agent and missed Week 6 with a concussion. However, he's also a starter who should interest just about any team with a need for help in the secondary," Knox wrote.
A few weeks back, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Woolen is considered a candidate to be traded at the deadline by teams around the league, so it appears there's a real chance he gets dealt.
"With Seahawks star CB Devon Witherspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline, sources tell The Insiders," he said.
"Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available."
It would be odd to see the Seahawks trade Woolen, who has 11 career interceptions. After all, the Seahawks are 4-2 and look primed to contend for a playoff spot.
However, with the emergences of Josh Jobe and Derion Kendrick, and with Woolen in the final year of his contract, it's conceivable Seattle could make him available.
Woolen is having a down year in 2025 with a completion rate of 66.7% and a passer rating of 111.2 when targeted.
But he's also a former Pro Bowler and Woolen's full body of work says he's a viable starter, at worst, in the NFL. Over 53 career games (51 starts), Woolen has given up a respectable 55.3% completion rate and 72.8 passer rating when targeted.
The Lions could definitely use Woolen's services given their injuries at the position. He would start immediately on the boundary and would serve as valuable depth for Reed and Arnold upon their returns.
While their coverage numbers are fairly similar this season, Woolen has historically been a much better player than Elam, so he should be an upgrade for Dallas.
The third-round pick projection from Knox feels too high and instead we'd expect the Seahawks to get no more than a fourth. At that price, Woolen should be in play for both Dallas and Detroit.
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