Tariq Woolen

Context

Moved to defense his Junior year. Plays almost exclusively as outside CB.

Coverage

Very good line of scrimmage skills. He is at his best by far when in press man with a jam. When he’s at the line of scrimmage and applying a jam he can disrupt the WR off the line with length, leverage and play strength. He mixes up his leverage and when he’s able to use his hands, which he can land with placement and timing, he can match angles with his footwork without difficulty. His hands are important in this, so he can stay in phase into the route stem but he is able to use his foot speed too when he can connect up with his hands. If he is in soft press, those WRs with better lateral agility and more sudden moves off the line of scrimmage can win against him when heading out into a route that isn’t linear – this is a particular problem against slants. If it’s a 9 route, he will be slow to flip his hips due to his lack of hip fluidity but his acceleration and long speed means he stays in phase. If he is in squat or off coverage, most competition are able to win because of his own deficiency in terms of lateral movement.

At the break point, he can stay in phase on more linear routes, either downfield on go routes or longer developing post and corner routes, or on hard angle routes that involve moving backwards and forwards in a straight line, i.e. comeback or curls. This is because he uses his explosion and speed to cover the WR. On any routes that involve speed cuts, so outs, digs, flats and slants, he will struggle to stay in phase because of his deficiency in his transition mechanics. His hips are not fluid enough to change direction with an economy of movement and he can lose touch with the WR at the breakpoint. He can get back to the WR with his acceleration but he loses too much ground to make up when the ball is thrown on time to the WR. He also has a slight lack of awareness in zone coverage and can’t always maintain appropriate leverage.

His ball skills are solid. When he is moving towards the intended receiver or in position early and can track the ball coming towards him, he is difficult to complete balls on. He can high-point the ball with his vertical leap and has good length, timing and placement to his attempts to break up the pass. On balls thrown downfield on him, he does not make an effort to locate the ball, and can only break the pass up with timing and accuracy by reading the WR’s hands. He is very good at this though and can do so even when the WR has late hands.

Run Support and Tackling

He is physically tough and a willing participant in run defense. He can use his length and play strength as a force player to stay gap disciplined and can shed and make a tackle on the ball carrier. He hits hard but isn’t a form tackler and can miss in the open field because of this lack of form and struggle to position.

SUMMARY
Press man CB with elite speed and length. Physical at the LOS, in phase on linear routes but tight hips causes him challenges whenever he has to turn and cover WRs on speed cuts

PRODUCTION
SR: 1 QB Hit, 26 Total Tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBUs
JR: 2 Sacks, 29 Total Tackles, 1 INT, 5 PBUs
INJURY: Hairline fracture in right arm, played with cast but missed 4 games (JR)

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 4
Intelligence 2
Versatility 3
Grit 3
Scheme 4