When you think of defensive versatility, the first positions that come to mind are often defensive back and linebacker. While versatility is especially important at the second and third levels, it can also be an asset on the defensive line. With his 2023 NFL Draft scouting report, versatility is just one thing that Auburn DE Colby Wooden provides.
Update: Colby Wooden has announced his decision to return to Auburn for the 2022 season.
Colby Wooden NFL Draft Profile
- Position: Defensive End
- School: Auburn
- Current Year: Redshirt Junior
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 278 pounds
Colby Wooden Scouting Report
There are a select few base alignments in the NFL, but by now, so many defenses have a variety in their playbook. Some teams employ odd-man fronts more than others, but most teams have a baseline level of flexibility on the defensive front. They have to in order to keep offensive linemen on their toes.
As hybrid schemes become more and more prevalent across the NFL, so do hybrid defenders. The ability to make an impact from multiple alignments is not something all defensive linemen can provide. So when a player like Wooden becomes eligible, a lot of defensive coordinators have to take notice. Set to become a redshirt junior in 2022, does he already have what it takes to make the leap to the NFL Draft?
Colby Wooden’s athletic profile
Both in practice and appearance, Wooden is the quintessential hybrid defensive lineman. He has a “tweener” frame, listed around 6’5″, 278 pounds. That frame allows him a great deal of versatility. Wooden has lined up everywhere from 1-technique (outside the center’s shoulder) to 5-technique (along the tackle’s outside shoulder). Most of his best reps, however, come between 3-technique and 2i, across from the offensive guard.
Regardless, Wooden can line up just about anywhere. With his size, he can take on double-teams and free up other players. He can also be dangerous on stunts. Wooden has a good first step for his size and can generate solid momentum off the line. His above-average explosiveness allows him to leverage some initial power at the point of attack. Additionally, Wooden carries a nice closing burst to the ball carrier once he’s clean.
Wooden has some measured twitch as a rusher, and he can leverage that twitch into solid burst. But beyond that, the Auburn DE also stores impressive natural power. He can blast offensive linemen back on initial contact, and he’s also able to drive blockers back in run defense with his power and leg drive when anchored.
Among other things, Wooden has solid lateral agility. He can quickly shade off initial alignments and manipulate attack angles. He also has modest torso and lower body flexibility. He’s not elite at absorbing power, but he can absorb moderate amounts.
Execution beyond the physical traits
Wooden is a solid athlete with a strong frame. And already, as a redshirt sophomore, he’s shown promising growth when it comes to using that frame effectively. Some of Wooden’s most exciting flashes come as a pass rusher.
As a pass rusher, Wooden has shown he can lower his pad level and attack his opponent’s torso. He’s also shown he can set up linemen, knocking them off-balance and then swimming inside. His hands have the capacity to be violent and combative, and he can rip down opposing anchors with zeal. He has moves such as the pull-rip, swim, arm-over, and bull rush already in his arsenal, although consistent execution remains a work in progress.
Wooden’s physical style shows up in run defense as well. The Auburn DE has the size, natural leverage, and leg drive to move with blocks and maintain angles against the run. He can also hold his ground and set the edge with his strong base and well-proportioned frame.
On the interior, Wooden can methodically combat anchors with his quick and forceful hands. He knows how to employ rips to break away from blocks, and he’s shown he can adjust his arm placement after initial extensions to pry himself free.
Areas for improvement
Wooden already has a lot of appealing traits, but he’s far from a perfect player. Most notably, his length — while decent — is not quite elite. He can be out-reached by some linemen, and it can be tougher for him to disengage in those situations. Going further, his lack of elite length and interior mass can make him easy to move off his spot in run defense.
Expanding on Wooden’s run defense, the Auburn DE sometimes gives up too much surface area when working on the interior. He can be more aware of running back positioning at times, as he occasionally overruns angles and opens up lanes. Although he’s a decent tackler, he doesn’t always wrap up at the contact point. He also moves a bit upright when he has to change directions. Although he’s a good athlete, he’s not overly sudden or agile.
As a pass rusher, Wooden can improve as well. He can get off the snap a bit quicker at times. His hands also don’t always carry maximum force. When he doesn’t capitalize on his initial burst, his rushes tend to stall out. Wooden can mitigate this issue by working on more consistently stacking counters after initial contact. His hand placement can also be cleaner at times. He brings good energy, but he doesn’t always channel it well.
Finally, while Wooden is a solid overall athlete, he may not have an elite athletic trait. His explosiveness is good, not great. He flashes decent bend but rarely accelerates around the corner. He also lacks elite speed. He’s not going to beat linemen on pace alone.
Colby Wooden’s 2023 NFL Draft scouting report overview
Wooden clearly has talent, and in his third season, the production started to catch up to the traits. At 6’5″, 278 pounds, Wooden has a very unique physical profile. From a role perspective, he’s almost a discount DeMarvin Leal — in the sense that he can line up anywhere on the defensive line and provide utility.
But while Leal is a dynamic defender from multiple alignments, Wooden isn’t quite as impactful. He doesn’t have elite proportional length, bend, or explosiveness. If the Auburn product can improve his hand usage, he’ll be able to better channel his natural power on the edge. But right now, he translates much better to the NFL as a 3-technique, and he might need to get up to 285 or 290 pounds to match up with NFL linemen.
Luckily for Wooden, he has a frame that can take on that added weight. And even then, he should be able to retain enough athleticism to move around the front. Although Wooden doesn’t have an elite athletic trait, he’s still a solid athlete with visible power that underpins his game. Until he becomes more consistent, he’s likely a mid-round pick. But hybrid front teams will be fond of his versatility and early progression as a player.
Colby Wooden’s Player Profile
Many players maintain a relatively similar height and weight through their football careers. A rare few, however, come into college small and underweight, then balloon into NFL prospects. That was the case with Wooden, who measured in at just 6’3″, 225 pounds as a senior at Archer High School.
While the size wasn’t ideal for a defensive end, the production spoke for itself. In his final year, Wooden logged 8 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He flashed potential, and that potential endeared the three-star recruit to teams like Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Cincinnati, and Michigan — all of whom offered him scholarships in the 2019 cycle.
Despite interest from in-state powerhouse Georgia, Wooden was drawn to an Auburn defensive line that boasted Derrick Brown and Big Kat Bryant. He signed with the Tigers and enrolled in 2019.
Wooden’s career at Auburn
As a true freshman at Auburn, Wooden played in three games. He only logged a half-tackle for loss and 6 total tackles, but he gained valuable experience leading up into the 2020 season. By his freshman campaign, Wooden was 6’4″, 243 pounds, and played as a BUCK linebacker. But he wasn’t done growing — far from it.
Wooden was 268 pounds by the start of the 2020 season. Now, the Auburn defensive lineman started to give opposing offensive tackles more trouble. Wooden rotated inside and took on a starting role for the Tigers’ defensive cast. In his new role, Wooden flourished, amassing 41 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection.
2021 offered similar returns for Wooden as he grew more comfortable in his matured role. In a 12-game regular season for Auburn, Wooden logged 57 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. The athletic defender helped anchor a productive Tigers defensive line and officially announced his presence as an NFL Draft prospect. But he won’t be present on the NFL Draft circuit until 2023.
Colby Wooden’s NFL Draft ascension
Now that Wooden has officially chosen to return to school, he’ll be on the shortlist for defensive linemen to watch in 2022.
There are a few diluting factors for Wooden’s stock. One could make an argument that he doesn’t have any quantifiably elite physical traits. By the same virtue, he has no glaring weaknesses. He has decently long arms, even if they aren’t overwhelming. And he’s a solid overall athlete with the tools to be a disruptor on the interior.
Testing will be big for Wooden when he declares, but already, the Auburn DE has proven that he has the traits and the production to be worth a look.