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Wednesday Round-Up: Tyler Lockett, Riq Woolen Among League's Best In PFF Rankings

Pro Football Focus writer Jim Wyman elaborates on just how good Tyler Lockett is at creating separation, and on cornerback Riq Woolen’s ability to smother receivers.

Jul 05, 2023 at 01:30 PM

Maliik Obee

Seahawks.com Contributor

Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, July 5 — about your Seattle Seahawks.

PFF Ranks Tyler Lockett & Riq Woolen Among League's Best At Their Jobs

Which WR was the most open last season? https://t.co/NXqOa5UsY5
— PFF (@PFF) June 30, 2023

Seattle wideout Tyler Lockett has shown plenty in his eight seasons, as he comes into 2023 reeling off four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. It's clear Lockett has the hands and production, but Pro Football Focus writer Jim Wyman breaks down why no one in the league is better at creating separation. And on the defensive end, Wyman shines a light on Riq Woolen's stinginess in his rookie campaign.

I'm really digging Tyler Lockett's (top of screen) technique to create separation pic.twitter.com/U9OYm1N507
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) June 13, 2023

Precise route-running is a necessity for wideouts looking to get open against the surplus of talented corners league-wide. Over his eight seasons in the league (all with Seattle), Lockett has shown the ability to separate against the best, regardless of size or speed. Last summer, the NFL’s advanced analytics team ranked the Kansas State alum as one of the league’s premier catchers when covered. Now, Wyman is using PFF's calculation system to show just how good Lockett is at beating the man in front of him to get free. Of all receivers across the league to be targeted at-least 75 times in 2022, no wideout scored a higher Open-Target percentage (67.5%) than Lockett. Only three other wideouts in the league were open on more-than 60 percent of their targets (Parris Campbell, Richie James, Cooper Kupp).

2023 NFL All-Under-25 Team (by @TheNickShook): Tariq Woolen received a full workload as a rookie, starting every game, and made a name for himselfhttps://t.co/WflVgTsFGS pic.twitter.com/Rfwd9yKopm
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 30, 2023

Woolen quickly gained national notoriety in his first season thanks to his ball skills, nabbing six interceptions to tie for the league lead in 2022. The speedy 6-foot-4 University of Texas-San Antonio Alum comes in at No. 9 on PFF's rankings for cornerback open-target percentage, at 31.7 percent. Wyman points out Woolen's press-coverage tendencies in Seattle's defensive scheme while praising the franchise's recent draft selections in the secondary:

Speaking of Tariq Woolen, among players on this list, nobody played more press coverage than his 333 such snaps. Dane Jackson of the Bills was next closest with 328 press snaps, and after him, there is a big drop until third-place Joshua Williams' 230 press snaps. Having the ninth-lowest open-target rate against while lining up in so much press coverage makes the UTSA fifth-rounder's rookie year all the more special. With the addition of fifth overall pick Devon Witherspoon in 2023, the Seahawks may be forming a new Legion of Boom in their secondary.

On both sides of the ball, Seattle continues to draft and develop top talent. In Lockett & Woolen, Seattle has two players that they can rely on in isolated situations.

Social Post Of The Day

CBS Sports Color Analyst Emory Hunt is confident in the Seahawks taking home the NFC West in 2023.

Talked NFC West w/@KatieMox & @mrlarryridley, locking in the #Seahawks to take the NFC West this year. pic.twitter.com/V5M1bng4DT
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) July 5, 2023

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