Colts Named Landing Spot For Pro Bowl Defensive Back
The Indianapolis Colts have numerous injuries to their secondary this season, specifically the cornerbacks.
Third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Justin Walley, tore his ACL in training camp, forcing him to miss his rookie season. Xavien Howard, who was signed to help with the depleted CB group, retired after Week 4. $54 million signing Charvarius Ward was placed on injured reserve after a concussion during a pregame injury in Week 6.
Nickel cornerback Kenny Moore missed multiple games this season with a calf injury, but has returned to the team.
With the injuries, the Colts are left without a proper CB1 in the secondary. The team still has the best record in the league, but it could soon dwindle with an injured cornerback group.
An NFL analyst names Indianapolis as a “logical landing spot” for a Pro Bowl cornerback that could provide immediate help for the 6-1 team.
Trading For Cornerback
GettySeattle Seahawks CB Riq Woolen
Charvarius Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts to shadow the opposing team’s primary receiver. Without Ward out for four weeks, it creates a big hole in the Colts’ defense.
CBS Sports Cody Benjamin names the Indianapolis as a team who are a fit for Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen.
“Once tabbed as one of the NFL’s top up-and-coming cornerbacks, Woolen is no longer a fearsome member of Seattle’s defense. He showed early in his career he can parlay his big frame (6-foot-4) into elite ball production, however, and you can bet that a handful of teams would be willing to plug him in as a high-upside move for the future. The former Pro Bowler is still just 26,” Benjamin wrote.
Woolen was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season with the Seahawks after logging six interceptions, 16 pass deflections and 63 total tackles. His performance in his rookie season placed him third in the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award voting.
In his next two seasons, the cornerback has registered five interceptions, 25 pass deflections and 99 tackles. Woolen hasn’t recorded an interception in the 2025 season yet, but has three pass deflections.
The Seahawks’ cornerback hasn’t returned to his rookie Pro Bowl level, but could achieve it with a change of scenery.
Tariq Woolen In Indy
GettySeattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen
The Indianapolis Colts need immediate help at the cornerback position with Ward on IR for at least another three weeks.
Trading for Tariq Woolen shouldn’t be too much of an issue with the player in the final year of his rookie contract.
Indianapolis would most likely have to give up a third-round pick or an early-day three pick for the former UTSA Roadrunner.
Woolen would provide the Colts immediate assistance to their injured cornerback room and should get quality playing time when Ward returns to the team.
The player could have a bounce-back season playing for the Colts, with a high contract offer waiting for him in the offseason.
Eagles trade proposal sends Dolphins 43.5-sack pass rusher to Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles’ pass rush has seen plenty of movement over the past week.
First, defensive end Za’Darius Smith abruptly retired in the middle of the season. Then, in another surprising move, Brandon Graham announced he was coming out of retirement.
Graham agreed to terms with the Eagles on a prorated one-year, $4.9 million deal that will pay him $2.44 million for the rest of the season, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“I didn’t want to retire in the beginning,” the 15-year veteran said, per Zach Berman.
While Philadelphia essentially swapped one veteran for another, the pass rush could still use additional help if the team hopes to make another Super Bowl run.
One trade proposal from The Athletic’s Mike Jones and Jeff Howe suggested that the Eagles send the Miami Dolphins a 2026 third-round pick for edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
“The Eagles have needed pass-rushing help since they lost Josh Sweat in free agency, and that need intensified after Za’Darius Smith’s retirement announcement,” Jones wrote. “Chubb, who missed last season while recovering from ACL repair surgery, is off to a strong start this season, recording four sacks. Pair him with a front that includes stud linemen such as Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter and reunite him with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and Chubb should make an instant impact.”
The Dolphins could easily find themselves in fire-sale mode. Miami sits at 1-6, with each loss seemingly worse than the last and head coach Mike McDaniel’s seat getting hotter.
However, as Howe noted, Miami did go on a run last year after a slow start and may not want to rid themselves of their 43.5 career sacks star.
“If the Dolphins go full tank, it would probably signify the end of the regime in some capacity,” Howe wrote. “But they started 2-6 in 2024 before finishing 8-9, so Mike McDaniel has seen recent evidence of his team getting hot in the second half. And if he’s still on the job by the trade deadline, I can’t imagine McDaniel being keen on the idea of giving away one of his most talented defensive players.”
Chubb, who leads the Dolphins in sacks with four, has one more than Eagles leader Moro Ojomo. Philadelphia ranks near the bottom of the league with just 11 total sacks this season.
