Woolen has emerged as a centerpiece of Seattle’s secondary since 2022, anchoring the cornerback trio with Witherspoon and Jobe. His length, instincts and playmaking ability anchor Seattle’s pass defense and shape fantasy expectations as the defense leans on him in top-tier matchups.

Woolen started slow as Jobe’s ascent creates a tight CB competition. Early struggles could prompt Seattle to lean on Jobe, potentially diminishing Woolen’s workload if the rookie proves he can handle full-time duties.

Woolen is another cornerstone in SEA’s corner trio. His health status and practice participation will influence Seattle’s overall coverage plan; if Spoon is limited, Woolen’s ceiling rises in a favorable matchup against the Steelers’ passing game.

Woolen’s role grows if Witherspoon sits, elevating boundary coverage and fantasy value. His athleticism could yield more tackles and pass deflections, while Seattle’s scheme may lean on his playmaking to anchor the secondary against Pittsburgh’s attack.

Woolen, Seattle, started most of his games since 2022 and earned a Pro Bowl as a rookie, but Week 1 exposed lapses that allowed the 49ers to exploit the boundary. Macdonald is weighing his role for Week 2, signaling ongoing rotation rather than an ironclad starter. His prior benching by Pete Carroll in 2023 and a Week 15 rule-violation last season add a cautionary tone to his fantasy projection, though Emmanwori’s injury could preserve a larger role.