Colby Wooden NFL Draft Profile
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 273 lbs.
School: Auburn
2023 NFL Draft: Colby Wooden Scouting Report
Colby Wooden is a quick and versatile NFL-calibre pass rusher who has impressed at every stage in his career at Auburn. During his first full season in 2020, he made the All-Freshman team with 42 tackles (19 single, 23 assisted) and four sacks. Starting all 13 games in 2021, he made 61 tackles (34 solo, 27 assisted) with five sacks and a fumble recovery. He improved once again in 2022 through 12 starts with 45 tackles (36 solo, nine assists), six sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Wooden has continue to impress scouts throughout his journey as he developed a bigger frame (adding 40 pounds), stronger hands, and better pass rushing skills. He filled in multiple roles at Auburn, flashing versatility and the needed skills to become a three-down NFL defender. He might also be one of the most consistent workers in the NFL Draft with a high-motor and the needed intangibles to succeed.
Strengths
- Versatile defender able to fulfil multiple roles across multiple alignments
- Quick feet and quick hands
- Developed better skills and better frame every year at Auburn
- Strong defensive lineman able to assist in rush attack
- Hardest worker on the football field
Weaknesses
- Does not have deep-seated pass rushing attack
- Will not bull rush offensive lineman
- Loses fight for anchor at the line of scrimmage
- Limited skills for outside pass rush, although developable
- Height leaves him above offensive linemen’s pads
NFL Comparison: Carl Lawson
Teams With Need at Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans
Projection: Third Round
Bottom Line on Colby Wooden
Colby Wooden’s development at Auburn should make him one of the more coveted mid-round NFL-calibre rushers in the draft. He has a high football motor with the off-field work that showed determined and significant improvements throughout his tenure at Auburn. Wooden also developed pass rush skills that saw him get to the quarterback more consistently every season while also finding a way to create turnovers. Sneakily, Wooden is quite the playmaker and might surprise NFL teams with a nose for the football.
Wooden will punch above his weight class and impress NFL defensive teams. He fits best within a 3-4, inside-pass rushing scheme that allows him to flash versatility and activity. Slower NFL guards will lose to Wooden’s punches, giving him an immediate advantage across the NFL. With high football intelligence and acumen, he has a chance to start making an immediate impact on defence.
In the NFL, he should find his way to the quarterback for a few sacks in his rookie year, fulfilling a consistent if not productive role on the line. Working with an elite defence he should find ways to improve his pass attack skills and forte. A defence with more established players will immediately help him develop into a strong-attacking pass rusher capable of consistent disruption.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
