The Packers started a busy final day of the NFL draft by going back to the defensive side of the ball in the 4th round, taking Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooden with the 114th overall choice. Wooden was a three year starter for the Tigers, was named to the All SEC Freshman team. The 6-5, 285 pound lineman was utilized across the front but primarily played inside. Wooden played in 40 games, piling up 152 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and he recorded 17 sacks with 23 quarterback hits.
Green Bay needed to bloster the depth on the defensive line after losing veterans Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed in free agency.
The Pack’s Director of College Scouting Patrick Moore said the Lawrenceville, Georgia native will help.
Moore said Wooden is more twitch quick than fast but he’s able to chase down plays steered away from him and in the NFL game which is all about speed to the edge, he should handle it. While his power benefits him most in the run game, Moore says he’s able to be disruptive as an inside pass rusher. Moore said he was easy to spot on the Auburn defense not only because of his production but because he wore the unusual number 25 as a lineman.
Wooden joins first round pick Lukas Van Ness of Iowa as defensive selections. General Manager Brian Gutekunst re-stocked the offense Friday night in rounds 2 and 3 taking a pair of tight ends in Luke Musgrave of Oregon State and Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State along with Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed. Gutekunst said the objective was pretty clear, he wants to build an already young corps on offense that can grow together.
By trading down twice Friday night, Gutekunst acquired extra picks for the final day and he still has two choices remaining in each of the 5th and 6th rounds along with 4 selections in the 7th.
