The Cincinnati Bengals are staring at a massive chance to fix one of their biggest headaches on defense right now, and guess who just popped up in trade discussions? Former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen. The dude, currently with the Philadelphia Eagles, has executives around the league floating the idea that Philly might actually move him, according to a report from The Athletic. If that’s true, the Bengals absolutely have to pick up the phone.
The Bengals’ Secondary Is a MASH Unit Right Now
Cincinnati is on their bye week, but they’ve got some serious problems they need to address before getting back on the field. Their secondary has been hit hard by injuries, with Jalen Davis and Ja’Sir Taylor both landing on injured reserve. Those absences have basically forced Dax Hill into the slot, which then leaves DJ Ivey and Tacario Davis out there competing opposite DJ Turner II. Defensive coordinator Al Golden needs help, plain and simple. Woolen would slide right in as an outside cornerback who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and supplement that secondary in a huge way.
Who Is Riq Woolen and Can He Bring the Heat?
So, who is Riq Woolen? The guy is 27 years old and a total physical specimen, standing at a towering 6-foot-4. He ran a blistering 4.26-second 40-yard dash before hitting the NFL, which is just insane speed for his size. Plus, he earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie, which tells you everything you need to know about his talent ceiling. This season, through five games, he’s earned a 66.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him 31st among 104 qualifying cornerbacks. That’s a solid, starting-caliber player right there.
Financially, this could be a smart play for the Bengals too. Woolen signed a one-year, $12 million deal with Philadelphia, which included a $6 million signing bonus, according to Over the Cap. While the exact cap impact of a trade gets a little complicated with that structure, it’s not a long-term commitment. The Bengals have shown they’re not shy about making aggressive moves, remember when they snagged Dexter Lawrence? Adding Woolen fits that same mold.
As the Bengals roll through their bye week, this is exactly the kind of move that could shake things up big time. Keep an eye on the news out of Cincinnati, because if they pull this off, their defense gets a serious shot in the arm for the second half of the season. This could be massive for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply