Colby Wooden 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Received first-team all-state, all-county, and all-region honors in football
• Four-star recruit

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: 3-4 base
• 2022 projected role: Starting DE

Pros: A surprising mover with decent athleticism for his size, Colby Wooden was a productive defender with five sacks, 41 pressures, 37 stops, and a pressure rate of 16%. Wooden has the quickness to slice through blocks and gaps. He aligns as the 3 and 4i-tech for the Tigers’ base defense. Also, he has taken reps as an outside/edge rusher. On the edges, his length presents issues for tight ends to effectively set hard edges on running calls. He uses power to knock down the offensive lineman’s hand as they attempt to latch. He displays good lateral agility to work down the LOS on outside run, zone, and tosses. He uses his length to soften the edge/angle of his rush path. He even blocked a kick last season resulting in a touchdown for the Tigers. 

Cons: Regardless of his athleticism and quickness, Colby Wooden can be late off the ball, resulting in delayed rushes. No one should expect an overly explosive burst at the snap. At times, he seems to rush without a plan of attack. This results in slower rush sequences and no pressure generated. Due to inconsistent pad-level and anchoring, he is not an ideal candidate to operate as a two-gap defensive lineman. He projects as a 4-3 defensive end at the next level.

Colby Wooden NFL Draft Scouting Report by Damian Parson