The Detroit Lions welcomed home defensive back Brian Branch in a win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, while his fellow safety Kerby Joseph is trending toward a return soon after getting back on the practice field last week -- but even a pair of Pro Bowlers prowling the third level of the Detroit defense isn't likely enough to change what has been the NFL's least effective unit to this point in the season.
Enter cornerback Tariq Woolen of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Is he a true game-changer? No. But he represents a meaningful talent upgrade to a secondary, and a cornerback room specifically, that is in desperate need of one. He is also probably available, given that the Eagles (2-6) are depleted by injury and fielding one of the least effective offenses in the league through seven weeks.
A loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday has all but sealed Philadelphia's fate as pre-trade deadline sellers. As such, Detroit is a no-brainer candidate to submit an offer for Woolen, who is playing on just a one-year contract worth $12 million and has no strings attached beyond 2026.
Tariq Woolen among most likely trade candidates in NFL ahead of November 10 deadline
Woolen came in at No. 8 on ESPN's list of the league's top 25 trade candidates ahead of the looming deadline.
"When I talk to rival teams about which players Philly might move, Woolen's name comes up fairly often," Jeremy Fowler wrote on October 28. "He's a high-upside corner and a 2027 free agent whose $1.26 million base salary could help facilitate a trade (much of his $12 million in guarantees came via signing or restructured bonuses)."
Woolen's ball production is down somewhat this season, as he has no interceptions. The 27-year-old cornerback has recorded at least one interception in each of his previous four campaigns and led the league with six interceptions during his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2022 as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
However, Woolen does have six pass breakups in eight games played this year and has tallied double-digit defensed passes in each of his previous four seasons. He has also forced one fumble in 2026.
"Woolen has the length and long speed at 6-foot-4 to help a defense majoring in man coverage and two-deep zone," Bowen wrote before listing the Lions as a top-three trade destination for Woolen. "The tackling and eye discipline could improve, but Woolen is a disruptor on the perimeter. In five pro seasons, he has 12 interceptions and 57 pass breakups."
Based on all the relevant factors and circumstances, Woolen's trade cost is likely to fall in the range of an early-to-mid Day 3 draft pick, which would be well worth the upgrade in Detroit.
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