The Cincinnati Bengals have a clear opportunity to shore up a shaky part of their defense during the bye week, and a notable name has already entered the conversation.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen has come up in trade chatter, with The Athletic reporting that league executives have floated the possibility of Philadelphia moving him. That does not mean the Eagles are actively shopping him, but it gives the Bengals something worth monitoring.
Cincinnati’s need is obvious. Injuries have thinned out the cornerback room, with Jalen Davis and Ja’Sir Taylor both landing on injured reserve. Those absences have pushed Dax Hill into the slot and left DJ Ivey and Tacario Davis battling for time opposite DJ Turner II.
Woolen would give defensive coordinator Al Golden another outside option with size and speed. He is 6-foot-4, ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash before entering the NFL, and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Through five games this season, he has posted a 66.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks 31st among 104 qualifying cornerbacks.
The money side is part of the appeal as well. According to Over the Cap, Woolen signed a one-year, $12 million deal with Philadelphia that includes a $6 million signing bonus. The structure makes the exact cap hit in a trade harder to pin down, but it would not tie Cincinnati to another long-term commitment.
The Bengals have not been shy about making bold moves before, most notably when they acquired Dexter Lawrence. That history alone makes Woolen a name to keep in mind if Cincinnati decides to act.
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