Not even Patrick Mahomes could solve Seahawks rookie sensation Tariq Woolen

Irritating loss after irritating loss has rapidly despatched the Seattle Seahawks’ season spiraling into unwelcome territory, however no less than one factor on this workforce has remained persistently spectacular. After all I’m speaking concerning the rookie sensation, Tariq Woolen, who has simply been one of the crucial enjoyable gamers to observe this season. Even with the workforce’s struggles, the younger nook is demonstrating a fierce resolve, as he continues to place forth his greatest effort week in and week out. He hasn’t been with out his personal struggles, after all, which is why I used to be notably completely happy to see Woolen bounce again after surrendering a touchdown to George Kittle on a blown assignment a week earlier. Even taking that misstep under consideration, Woolen has quickly matured right into a shutdown nook. Test this out:

And what was the one incompletion? Only a landing saving play, that’s all.

Credit score the chilly climate with slowing down KC’s electrifying offense to some extent, however the reality stays that Woolen has persistently been placing up performances like this all through the season, and if something he’s solely getting higher. Groups are noticing and accounting for this, as effectively. According to Pro Football Focus, following the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10 the place he was focused six occasions, Woolen has seen a measly complete of ten passes thrown his manner; on these, he has allowed 5 receptions for 121 yards and one landing, with one interception as effectively. No, it isn’t fantastic that this equates to 12.1 yards per goal; nonetheless, in case you take out the beforehand talked about 54 yard catch-and-run by Kittle, this drops all the way down to 67 yards on 9 targets, or 7.4 yards per goal. After all, you possibly can’t merely ignore the unhealthy performs, however my level is that Woolen is a rookie, and all rookies make errors. Only a few rookies, nonetheless, earn the respect of opposing offenses this quickly. Right here is the passing chart from final week’s sport, only for some extra proof.

Tariq Woolen has conclusively put collectively an inspiring rookie season, and never merely from the mindset of “wow, he may flip into a great participant sooner or later.” Fairly, we now have already seen him flip into a great participant, and his ascent appears to be like to be removed from over. Gamers construct reputations for themselves, and Woolen has rapidly earned the status of being a Shut-Down Nook. He has no less than two extra weeks of this season so as to add to his already spectacular resume, as he appears to be like to face Mike White and Baker Mayfield over the approaching weeks. No matter how this season ends, nonetheless, Tariq Woolen has given us one thing to be optimistic about on a protection the place optimism is scarce, and that’s undoubtedly price a fifth spherical choice.