Reviewing Packers 2023 Draft Class: IDL Colby Wooden
By Paul Bretl
I’ve arrived at Round 4 in my review of the Green Bay Packers 2023 draft class. In this round, with the 116th overall selection, the Packers took Auburn interior defensive lineman Colby Wooden.
In this series, I have been taking a closer look at each Green Bay draft pick, diving into their measurables, stats that you need to know, along with their fit with the Packers. I also have quotes from members of the Packers’ organization and a pre-draft report.
If you’ve missed any of the other articles within this series, you can find them below.
Colby Wooden
Measurements
6’4″ | 273 | RAS: 9.24
Wooden tested incredibly well at the combine, as evidenced by his elite Relative Athletic Score, which included a 4.79-second 40-yard dash. He is, however, on the lighter side for an interior defender, especially when considering who the Packers typically target at this position. But with that said, Packers Assistant Director of College Scouting Patrick Moore said that Wooden played in the 282 – 285 pound range during the 2022 season and that he cut weight for the combine. On a Zoom call after he was selected, Wooden mentioned that he was back in the low-280s and was looking to add on a few additional pounds as well.
Stats to Know
Wooden is extremely versatile, playing up and down the defensive front during his time at Auburn. He finished his career with 668 snaps lined up in the B-gap, another 355 over the offensive tackle, and 642 as a traditional edge rusher. Between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Woodend totaled 72 quarterback pressures along with 13 sacks and ranked eighth in pass rush win rate in 2021 specifically. Against the run, he ranked 11th in run-stops during 2021. In 2022, Wooden ranked 46th out of 200 defenders in that same category.
Fit with the Packers
Where exactly Wooden fits on this Packers defensive front can be a bit difficult to project, given his size and that he was used in a variety of ways at Auburn. But what we do know based on what Moore and Gutekunst had to say after the draft is that Wooden will play along the interior defensive line, he will most likely be moved around within the tackle box, and Green Bay sees him as someone who can get after the quarterback. With the lack of experienced depth at this position group for the Packers, chances are that Wooden will see playing time right away, and it will most likely come on third downs or in obvious passing situations. At least at this stage of his career, I do not see him as someone who is utilized often against the run, and when he is, I would guess he’s lined up away from the center and tasked with being more of an edge setter.
The Packers said it
Patrick Moore – Assistant Director of College Scouting
"”We’re going to play him at defensive tackle. 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.”"
Pre-draft scouting 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.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"