The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the biggest surprises of the NFL season so far.
The team is sitting at 7-1 heading into Week 9 and is firmly entrenched at the top of the AFC South. Much of the credit for this success can obviously be attributed to star running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor leads the NFL with 850 rushing yards and is even getting some early MVP hype. However, the bigger story has been the play of quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones was seen as a first-round bust after flaming out with the New York Giants, but he’s revived his career in Indianapolis.
Jones and the Colts’ offense has scored 32 touchdowns- four more than the next-closest team. The Colts are sixth in passing yards per game, sixth in rushing yards per game, and first in yards per game.
However, the Colts have not been as good on defense. The secondary, in particular, could use some help, and Ethan Woodie of NFL Trade Rumors recently identified Riq Woolen as a realistic trade target.
Regarding Woolen and the Colts, Woodie offered the following:
Woolen is rather publicly on the trade block and it seems like the Seahawks would like to move on. He’s not a great fit in Seattle HC Mike Macdonald’s scheme, as Woolen is a big, physical press-man corner who struggles more in off coverage. Colts DC Lou Anarumo traditionally runs a lot of man coverage, so he’d be a good fit in Indianapolis.
As Woodie mentioned, the Seahawks appear okay with moving on from Woolen. The corner is set to enter free agency after the season, and he isn’t a great fit in the Seahawks’ scheme. The Colts, however, run a lot of man coverage and like to utilize physical, press corners.
Woolen could come to Indianapolis and immediately contribute. The corner has played in five games in 2025 and has 19 tackles and three pass deflections. It hasn’t been the best season so far, but Woolen has 11 interceptions in his four-year career and has been a solid option in the past.
The Colts need all the help they can get at the cornerback spot. Only the Dallas Cowboys have given up more pass yards than the Colts this season, and that has the potential to cost the team in the long run.
Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, Mike Hilton, and Jaylon Jones are all currently injured, which certainly doesn’t help. Woolen would provide some immediate relief and the Colts would have the first opportunity to re-sign him in the offseason if he impresses.
