Following the NFL trade deadline, Week 10 is usually an interesting week around the NFL. It’s no different for the Seattle Seahawks, who, like many teams, made an addition to their roster at the deadline.
Unsurprisingly, though, Rashid Shaheed was relatively quiet in his debut. Instead, it was the players Seattle decided not to trade who stood out in the Seahawks' dominant win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite the trade rumor mill circulating the names of Riq Woolen and Boye Mafe over the past couple of weeks, Seattle stuck by both players, as general manager John Schneider and his staff prioritized buying at the deadline instead of selling. Both players backed up the endorsement with their contributions in the win.
Seattle Seahawks’ deadline decision to keep Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen already looks smart
Starting with Woolen, whose downfall in Seattle may have been greatly exaggerated. Sure, he’s still not a perfect fit in head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense, but it’s a credit to the coaching staff for finding ways for him to contribute positively in the defense.
Against Arizona, Woolen was solid in coverage, knocking away a few passes, including a would-be touchdown intended for standout tight end Trey McBride and another intended for Marvin Harrison, Jr.
For all the concern that has followed Woolen externally, he’s having a much better season than many are giving him credit for. He’s allowed just 58.1% of passes in his coverage area to be completed coming into Week 10, and the game-winning touchdown he gave up in Week 1 remains the only one he’s allowed this season. And while injuries are playing a factor, he’s played more than 91% of defensive snaps this season.
As for Mafe, he checked in with a sack alongside Derick Hall that resulted in a 15-yard loss on 3rd and 10 to close out the first half. If that stat stands as a full sack for Mafe, it’ll be the first full sack for him this season.
Unlike Woolen, Mafe was reportedly close to being dealt at the deadline, according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter. Early Sunday morning, Schefter reported that the Kansas City Chiefs were close to striking a deal for Mafe ahead of the deadline, but the Seahawks stood firm that they wouldn’t trade away their own talent.
Mafe is an intriguing piece to the Seahawks’ dominant pass rush. He’s one of the most heavily utilized players in the rotation, and while his pressure rates are in line with his career production, his sack totals are lacking. But with as often as he is winning his reps, the sacks will come, just as his backfield disruption against Arizona proved on Sunday.
Nonetheless, Mafe and Woolen both paid their thanks to the Seahawks’ decision-makers for keeping them around with strong performances that helped spur the impressive defensive effort against an NFC West rival.