Cornerback Riq Woolen isn't just trending downward for how he has done in one week. He's been iffy in many aspects of his game since his second season in the league. As a rookie in 2022, he led the league in interceptions with six and appeared to play physical run defense.
Since 2022, he has had five picks total, and his missed tackle rate doubled. He was awful in the San Francisco 49ers' final drive of Week 1, giving up a 45-yard gain and a touchdown pass after that. If one person should take the blame for the loss, it is Woolen.
But even if the Seahawks wanted to replace him in Week 2, the team might not be able to. Fellow corner Devon Witherspoon is banged up. Safety Nick Emmanwori is injured, which means even if Seattle thought of playing Coby Bryant more in the slot in place of Witherspoon, they couldn't.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick might be a quick replacement for Riq Woolen
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Josh Jobe was solid in 2024 and terrific in Week 1, but he might need to get more reps because of Witherspoon's knee issue [than Woolen's poor play](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-riq-woolen-embarking-sink-swim-test-fans-watching-closely). This leaves the door open for Derion Kendrick to potentially pick up a lot of snaps.
Shaquill Griffin has been signed to the active roster, too, but he has seemingly lost a step. Kendrick [should have the advantage](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-biggest-hole-could-filled-free-agent-move-week-2) of taking up Woolen and/or Witherspoon's slack. The 2025 free agent signing is simply flying under the radar.
Kendrick missed 2024 after tearing his ACL. In 2023, though, he had 12 starts for the Los Angeles Rams and was pretty good. He was very good at one facet that Woolen isn't. The former Ram had 13 run stuffs and excelled at run defense overall. He also
Even if Woolen had been better in coverage in Week 1, he still wouldn't have been solid against the run because he never is. Seattle's Week 2 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, is going to throw the ball, of course, but the team is built to run just as much.
Plus, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw just one pass further than 20 yards in the air in Week 1 and threw eight screen passes. That means a defensive back is likely going to play closer to the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh, and having a corner unafraid to be physical should be a boon to the scheme.
Kendrick isn't afraid to be physical. Riq Woolen appears to be. The hope is that Woolen is much better against the Steelers and DK Metcalf, but if he isn't, Kendrick should be a quick replacement.