John Lynch 49ers
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49ers General Manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Combine on February 26, 2025.
The NFL’s free agency period is just days away, and the San Francisco 49ers are looking to build off a 12-win season with a strong offseason. With roughly $38 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, San Francisco could be a major player within the free agency window.
One player that the Niners may be interested in is a rival defender. According to Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the 49ers could be interested in signing Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen if he decides not to re-sign with the Seattle Seahawks.
How Riq Woolen Would Fit with the San Francisco 49ers
Tariq Woolen Stats
GettySeattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen is set to become a free agent for the first time in his career.
Woolen would certainly bring improvement to the 49ers’ defensive back room. Here is what Barrows and Tafur had to say about why Woolen coming down to the Bay Area makes sense:
“Woolen had some ups and downs winning a ring in Seattle, but was pretty consistent locking down receivers, has speed and is only 27. He wouldn’t be cheap — The Athletic had him No. 26 in our free-agent rankings with a price tag of four years and $76 million — but would be an improvement over Renardo Green.”
Coach Yac 🗣
If Riq Woolen does not re-sign with the Seahawks, several NFL executives and coaches believe the 49ers will have interest in the cornerback
“Woolen had some ups and downs winning a ring in Seattle, but was pretty consistent locking down receivers, has speed and is only 27. He
A Pro-Bowler as a rookie back in 2022 after co-leading the league in interceptions, Woolen was a steady defender for the Seahawks. 1 of 10 players with at least 12 interceptions since the start of 2022, the former fifth-round pick has also recorded 53 pass deflections in that same span (t-2nd most).
Despite starting just seven games this past season, he was a key part of head coach Mike Macdonald’s elite defense during the Super Bowl run in Seattle. Few teams know that better than the arch-rival 49ers, who faced him three times, including the playoffs, last season.
Raheem Morris Could Use Another Talented Defensive Back
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
GettyThe San Francisco 49ers hired Raheem Morris to be their new defensive coordinator this season.
After former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh became the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was named the new defensive coordinator of the 49ers.
Having a background in coaching defensive backs, Morris will look to improve the 25th-ranked pass defense from a season ago. Throughout his lengthy NFL coaching career, he has coached notable defensive backs such as Ronde Barber, DeAngelo Hall, Eric Weddle, Jalen Ramsey, Jessie Bates, and A.J. Terrell.
As Barrows and Tafur wrote, Woolen could be an upgrade over current 49ers starting cornerback Renardo Green. He is more experienced and has produced at a higher level. Pairing him with an elite defensive coordinator, who’s coaching background revolves around his position, could be massive.
Furthermore, the Niners, on paper, already have one of the better defenses in the league. When healthy, All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner are two of the best players at their respective positions. The addition of Woolen, who would play opposite of four-year starter Deommodore Lenoir, could give San Francisco one of the better cornerback duos in the entire league.