After an impressive weekend of action for UTSA CB Tariq Woolen, we take to the draft projections to see where Woolen’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft landing spots have changed. During a historic performance, Woolen set all-new speed records for a man his size. In a league where speed and size are coveted, just how high could Woolen see himself drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?
NFL Mock Draft 2022: Tariq Woolen’s draft projections
Largely seen as a player with elite traits and a lack of experience, Woolen blew away even high expectations at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Woolen put forth a 4.26 40-yard dash at 6’4″ and 205 pounds. His mark became the fourth-fastest Combine time in history and the fastest Combine time for a player over 6-foot-4. As such, Woolen has certainly seen his draft projections climb since his workout.
On the fringe of the top 10 cornerback rankings, Woolen is firmly inside the top 10 now. The Pro Football Network Top 300 Big Board has been higher on Woolen than the groupthink even before his Combine workout. Currently, Woolen is the PFN No. 9-ranked cornerback, finding himself as high as No. 62 overall on one board (yours truly). With Day 2 hopes, it’s almost a lock now that Woolen will be off the board come Rounds 2 or 3.
Did Woolen’s draft stock change after his NFL Combine performance?
In fact, after an impressive workout at the Combine — and perhaps an even more impressive showing during interviews — Woolen’s draft stock was absolutely altered in Indianapolis. With the growing likelihood that teams are going to bank off athletic traits, Woolen climbs to the top of the “most athletic” lists in this draft class. His workout and game film rank him as arguably the most athletic NFL draft pick in recent memory.
Considering the fact that Woolen has been playing cornerback for just over two years, it’s incredibly impressive that he is where he is at this time.
Just a month and a half away from the 2022 NFL Draft, Woolen is officially a fringe Round 1 player. That’s incredible given his position switch back in 2019-20, his relative youth to the cornerback role, and his lack of national fame after starting at UTSA for years.
For some, Woolen’s stock improved at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. While others, who were higher on Woolen throughout the year, were vindicated with his impressive outing in Indianapolis.
NFL Mock Draft 2022: PFN’s top consensus landing spots
So, if he’s a fringe Round 1 player and a Day 2 lock, where is Woolen coming in on the most recent 2022 NFL Mock Drafts? Let’s take a look at the recent landing spots for Woolen after Mock Draft Monday.
PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings lauded Woolen’s athleticism in his most recent draft. From a 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft published on Monday, March 7, Cummings pegged Woolen to the Los Angeles Chargers at pick No. 79 of Round 3. “Absolute freak with 4.26 speed and 42-inch vertical at 6’4″, 205.”
That selection in Round 3 is a bit higher than a previous 3-Round NFL Mock Draft from PFN’s James Fragoza. Back on January 14, Fragoza selected Woolen to the Baltimore Ravens with pick No. 101 of the third round.
Where does Tariq Woolen land on other draft boards?
After a terrific Combine workout, it’s not just the Pro Football Network team that is high on Woolen. In fact, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler mocked Woolen to the Buffalo Bills at pick No. 57 in the second round. Brugler’s most recent mock draft is much more in line with another high-profile draft analyst as well.
ESPN’s Todd McShay has Woolen as his 31st-ranked overall prospect. McShay likes Woolen’s upside and has him as the sixth-best cornerback in this class. As McShay states, his upside is large. “He’s a converted receiver but isn’t a ball hawk: Woolen has 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups over the past two seasons. He is still learning the position, but his upside is immense.”