As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Colby Wooden.

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Colby Wooden (DE – Auburn)

Colby Wooden (DE – Auburn)

6’5″ – 284 lbs.

Background:

Three-star recruit who missed much of his freshman season with mononucleosis, then stepped into a starting role the following year and has averaged just over 600 snaps per year since, producing at a high level: posted 41-9.0-3.5 in 2020, 61-8.5-4.5 in 2021, and 45-11.5-6.0 this past year.

Positives:

Productive three-year starter for a major program. Big, thick defender who typically played as one of only two down linemen, lining up most frequently in the B-gap but moving around a bit; shouldn’t have to gain too much weight to play either the three-technique or five-technique as a pro. Plays a high rate of the team’s snaps. Strong lower body allows him to hold the point of attack in the run game. Gets good extension with his arms and keeps his head up, doing a good job of locating the football and flowing in the play direction. Flashes a rip to disengage and can also make one-armed tackles while blocked at times. Works hard to pursue to the sidelines. Occasionally drew some extra attention from opposing blockers on passing downs. Pretty active with his hands and has a swim move that looks potentially viable. Consistently gets his hands up to contest passing lanes.

Negatives:

Taller than ideal for a defensive tackle, and arm length measurements might be interesting. Gets upright out of his stance rather than firing out with explosiveness. Handles contact well, but other balance issues crop up occasionally. Doesn’t have a very varied rush approach, being more of a bull-rusher who frequently ends up idling around the line of scrimmage. Has never been a sack artist, and overall athleticism/burst might not be enough to seal the deal much at the next level either; quarterbacks are typically able to flee the pocket and outrun him. Tackling was an issue this past season, missing 24.1% of his attempts per PFF.

Summary:

A thick, strong, and versatile defensive lineman with three years of experience starting for a major program, he showed the stamina to play almost every snap in many of his appearances and is a pretty good run defender with lower-body strength, awareness and motor to make stops. Doesn’t offer as much in the passing game because of his lack of explosiveness and relatively simplistic rush approach, but could find a place in a defensive line rotation as an early-down run stuffer, potentially kicking out to the five-technique end for an odd front with two-gap principles.

Projection: Round 4-5

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