Instant Takeaways: Packers select Auburn IDL Colby Wooden in Round 4
By Paul Bretl
To kickoff Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Auburn IDL Colby Wooden at pick 116 overall in the fourth round. Here are my instant takeaways from the selection.
– The interior defensive line was one of the positions that the Packers absolutely had to add to in this draft. Prior to the draft, Green Bay had only five interior defenders on the roster, at a position where four to five players see snaps each week. On top of that, Jonathan Ford and Chris Slayton are fringe roster players. Wooden should enter the rotation right away.
– With eight draft picks still remaining on Day 3, the Packers should add another interior defender.
– Wooden is on the lighter side for a defensive tackle, measuring in at 6’4” and weighing 273 pounds at the combine. He did, however, test extremely well, posting a Relative Athletic Score of 9.25, which included a 4.79-second 40-yard dash, and good testing across the board.
– Wooden was a chess piece along the Auburn defensive front. According to PFF ($$), he spent 668 snaps lined up in the B-gap, 355 over the offensive tackle, and 642 as a traditional edge rusher. Patrick Moore, the Packers Assistant Director of College Scouting, kept referencing Wooden’s versatility and athleticism when discussing Wooden’s game.
– Compared to what the Packers typically covet at the interior defensive line position, Wooden is undersized. However, Green Bay does plan to have him play along the interior defensive line. Wooden spent the 2022 season in the 282 – 285 pound range.
"”We’re going to play him at defensive tackle,” said Moore. “He’s a defensive tackle/big end type player. Athletic, inside pass rush guy, can set the edge, can play inside. Quick, athletic, powerful, good football player. Really adds a lot of versatility to our defensive line.”"
– During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Wooden totaled 72 pressures, 13 sacks, and 63 stops. He also tallied at least 8.5 tackles for loss in three consecutive seasons in the SEC.
– At least at Auburn, special teams wasn’t a big part of what Wooden was asked to do. He had 190 career snaps, most of which came on the field goal block unit.
– Wooden, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, this is an uber-athletic interior defensive line that the Packers have constructed.
– For a closer look at Wooden’s game, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote this in his pre-draft report:
"“Defensive line prospect whose steady weight gain and frame development have allowed him to see the game at a variety of alignments. Wooden is at his most disruptive when attacking from the interior. He has a quick first step to attack gaps and threaten the pocket, but he’s unable to sit down and drop a deep anchor against bullies in the run game. Wooden’s activity level and hand skill are the keys to his current and future success — they allow him to keep pressure on blockers from snap to whistle. High football character and scheme versatility work in Wooden’s favor, but he will need to find the right team fit.“"