ClutchPoints
When news broke that the Philadelphia Eagles signed Riq Woolen to a one-year, prove-it deal roughly a month after parading through Seattle as a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks, it got fans hyped.
One of the most athletically gifted performers to ever play cornerback at the NFL level, Woolen was up and down in Seattle depending on which scheme he was playing. But slotting into Vic Fangio’s defense? A system that has helped more than a few cornerbacks turn in career-best campaigns? Goodness, that upside is incredible.
Discussing what he’s seen from the new cornerback so far in minicamp, The Athletic’s Zach Berman pointed out that sources around the Eagles have been gushing about Woolen’s early efforts in the same way Zach Baun and Isaiah Rodgers did before earning their own massive payouts the following offseasons.
“The player I’ve heard the most praise for this spring? Riq Woolen,” Berman wrote. “Might be some novelty bias because it’s their first time seeing him, but he’s showing up in this session, too. Remained tight in coverage vs. DeVonta Smith. Reminds me of the way Zack Baun, Isaiah Rodgers were received two years ago. They could tell right away.”
Berman also got comments from Woolen on his time in Philadelphia and how he feels about joining a secondary that also features Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. While it’s still early, Woolen believes the Eagles might just have the best secondary in the NFL, which, considering the defense he just left, is really saying something.
“Honestly, I feel like we can be one of the best secondary groups in the league,” Woolen said via Berman. “We’re all confident about that. These guys have shown that with their work. I showed it with the work I put in. So being able to join them, the sky is the limit, and I feel like we can be one of the best groups in the NFL.”
Now granted, while the Eagles might have the best cornerback room in football, they do still have a big question mark at safety, with Marcus Epps expected to slot in next to second-year Texas product Andrew Mukuba unless a dark horse candidate swoops in or Howie Roseman swings a trade for another vet. Still, that kind of early review is very good news for the Eagles, as when their cornerbacks’ room has been elite, they usually make it to the Super Bowl.
The post Is Riq Woolen a future star? The Eagles think so after minicamp showing appeared first on ClutchPoints.
