Riq Woolen emerging as Eagles’ biggest offseason standout

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Riq Woolen emerging as Eagles’ biggest offseason standout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Eagles may have made one of the NFL’s most underrated offseason additions, and cornerback Riq Woolen is already proving why.

No Eagles player generated more buzz during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp than the former Seattle Seahawks standout. Woolen consistently showcased the rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism that made him one of the league’s breakout defensive backs early in his career, drawing rave reviews from teammates and coaches alike.

He closed minicamp with a highlight-reel play, undercutting a pass intended for tight end Dallas Goedert before intercepting the ball and racing the other direction, punctuating an outstanding spring and further reinforcing why the Eagles targeted him in free agency.

“Unique skill set. Very long and explosive and fast. Just watching him get in and out of breaks is crazy to see,” defensive back Cooper DeJean said. “How explosive he is and how he can catch up to routes when guys are getting out of their breaks. It will be fun to watch this year.”

Eagles may have found another defensive star in Woolen​

Philadelphia signed Woolen to a one-year contract worth up to $15 million after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, hoping he can strengthen an already talented secondary alongside Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Andrew Mukuba.

Woolen enters the 2026 season with an impressive résumé. Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of UTSA, he has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier young cornerbacks. Over four seasons, he has recorded 203 total tackles, 12 interceptions, 53 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown.

His breakout rookie campaign in 2022 earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors after tying for the NFL lead with six interceptions. His combination of elite speed, length, and ball skills quickly made him one of the league’s most feared coverage defenders.

If his performance throughout OTAs and minicamp is any indication, Woolen appears poised for another breakout season. His athleticism and playmaking ability could provide the Eagles with another elite weapon on a defense that already ranks among the NFL’s best and has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations entering the 2026 season.

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