After targeting the offense on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers have added another player on defense. With the 116th pick in the fourth round, the Packers selected defensive lineman Colby Wooden from Auburn.
Analysis:
Colby Wooden is an extremely versatile defender with experience at defensive end and defensive tackle. He does a great job using his 6’4, 273-pound frame to attack the gaps. Using a quick swipe or arm-over moves, Wooden can battle through opposing offensive linemen.
Wooden was a three-year starter at Auburn where he recorded 152 career tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, 15.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In 2022, Wooden played 259 snaps in the B-Gap, 253 snaps outside the tackle, and 131 snaps over the tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.
Wooden is an incredibly athletic player for his size. The 22-year-old recorded a 4.79 40-yard dash with a 9’ 7’’ broad jump. Wooden was a third-fourth round projection, which fits well coming off the board at 116th overall.
Team Fit:
Wooden will be a key rotational player giving the Packers more flexibility on the defensive front. With experience outside and inside, the Packers will be able to rely on Wooden to be a plug-and-play player. He wasn’t a consistent disruptor for the Tigers’ defense but he worked at his best as a pass rusher on the inside.
Former coaches spoke highly of Wooden’s work ethic and character making him a great team-fit in the Packers’ locker room. Wooden still has some room for improvement in developing his instincts and becoming a more consistent player that the Packers can groom out of him over time.
Green Bay showed last season that they needed to add some depth to the defensive line. So far, the team has added two players in the draft to add to the rotation.
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Kole Noble is a lifelong Packers fan currently living in North Carolina and is a huge NFL Draft nut. You can follow him on twitter at @SlawSportsShow.
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