2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Tariq Woolen
- Position: Cornerback
- School: UTSA
- Height: 6'3"
- Weight: 205lbs
Film Watched: Illinois 2021, Western Kentucky 2021, Senior Bowl
Pro's:
- Rare measurables. True height-weight-speed guy that ticks all the NFL boxes
- Feisty in press, using his good length and play strength to disrupt a receivers release
- Phenomenal speed. Ran 4.29 seconds at the combine, and has the wheels to keep up with any receiver
- Has the click and close to get to any ball destination from his zone landmark
- Insane recovery quickness. Closes openings in the blink of an eye
- Attacks the football at the high point – former wide receiver and it shows
- Good length allows him to impede the catch point and make a receivers life a misery
- Throws his weight into every tackle, and absolutely unafraid to get physical with an opponent
Tariq Woolen is a CB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 10 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 1806 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/yJUs24vfYD #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/qfcLQzgqSr
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 8, 2022
Con's:
- Extremely raw cornerback. Only played the position for two years after converting from receiver in 2020
- Feel for zone coverage not there yet. Still developing his instincts, spacing, and identifying threats
- Has the agility to mirror receivers in man coverage, but inexperience has him giving ground through breaks
- Is yet to play with anticipation, although his sheer speed more than makes up for a slow start
- Inconsistent tackler, who works with physicality over technique
The Verdict:
“Tariq Woolen might have jumped up everyone’s draft boards after showcasing his elite athleticism at the combine, but for those enjoying the rise of the UTSA football program this last year, the respect for his talent is probably overdue. Woolen has very little experience playing cornerback, and you can see it throughout his tape - where the instincts, angles and technique are all rough around the edges. But the simple truth is that it didn’t really matter for the Roadrunners, because Woolen had the speed to get himself out of trouble. That margin for error will shrink in the NFL and there’s no doubting Woolen will have to endure a steep learning curve at the next level. Any team drafting him will have to have reasonable early expectations, but the ceiling for Woolen is through the roof.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: JAYCEE HORN
PREDICTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
5/5