Just three years ago, the Seattle Seahawks found one of the steals of the NFL Draft when they picked a little-known cornerback out of the University of Texas-San Antonio named Riq Woolen in the fifth round.

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Woolen broke out with a massive rookie season in 2022. He tied for the league lead with six interceptions, was selected to the Pro Bowl and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

It was a surprising season from a player who possessed all the physical tools needed in the NFL but lacked experience. The 6-foot-4 Woolen impressed at the scouting combine when he clocked a 4.26-second 40-yard dash and 42-inch vertical leap, but had played corner for just two years in college after converting from wide receiver.

Seahawks Radio Network analyst and former NFL wide receiver Michael Bumpus sees a member of this year’s rookie class who has the same sort of potential as Woolen. Bumpus shared why undrafted Arkansas wide receiver Tyrone Broden could be Seattle’s next diamond in the rough.

“This is one of those that (you need to) watch during preseason,” Bumpus said. “Keep your eyes on this young man because he has that potential.”

Broden measures in at 6 foot 5, and he posted a 4.37-second 40 and 35-inch vertical jump at Arkansas’ pro day. In terms of height and speed, he has the same sort of tools as former Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson, who also stood at 6-5 and ran a 4.4-second 40 at the combine.

However, Broden didn’t have much production in college. He had two 500-yard seasons while at Bowling Green, but totaled just 306 yards and one TD on 30 catches in his two years at Arkansas.

“I saw those numbers and had to watch a film and asked myself, ‘What do they see in him? Because the numbers ain’t numbering.’ You put on the film and he has that type of Riq Woolen potential,” Bumpus said.

But it’s also clear Broden still has plenty to work on, Bumpus said.

“It seems like he’s just learning how to move people and how to fight through contact,” Bumpus said. “When you’re 6-5, it’s going to be tough for you to run up the seam and not have that linebacker or safety kind of knock you off your line. You gotta find ways to move them and be good with your hands and your leverage.

“It pops every now and then. He’ll show it, and I go, ‘Oh, there it is.’ It just seems like he hasn’t gotten the reps to fully understand how to do it consistently. … When he does it right, it is beautiful.”

Broden will have plenty of competition trying to make the Seahawks’ roster during the upcoming season. The team’s top three receivers appear to be fairly set with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling all in the fold. Returners Jake Bobo and Dareke Young will be in the mix, and Seattle drafted receivers Tory Horton in the fifth round and Ricky White III in the seventh.

“It’s going to be up to the Seahawks and that coaching staff to get him right, because you don’t just find 6-5 running 4.3s everywhere,” Bumpus said.

Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app. 

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