Anticipation over the 2025 NFL Draft is nearing its crescendo, but even when the draft is over there is more excitement to come. After the seven rounds are completed on Sunday afternoon, there’s always a frenzy of activity as teams rush to sign undrafted free agents and continue to tinker with their rosters.
While this is undoubtedly an exciting time for incoming rookies, it often has unfortunate consequences for some veterans on the proverbial roster bubble. With an influx new players likely numbering in double digits, some veterans are bound to be released to create roster flexibility and clear the way for new talent. One Green Bay Packers veteran in particular stands out as the most likely cut candidate.
Colby Wooden is a former 2023 fourth-round pick out of Auburn with an underwhelming professional resumé. After a college career as a three-year starter in the SEC, Wooden had 93 tackles, 32 for loss, and 14.5 sacks across 41 games. That disruption he showed rushing from the interior helped propel him to catch Green Bay’s attention.
So far, that production has not found its way to the NFL. He played in all 17 games as a rookie, totaling 17 tackles and half a sack while logging roughly 22% of the defensive snaps for Joe Barry’s unit. However, he failed to make any significant strides in 2024.
In his sophomore season, Wooden appeared in only 13 games, was a healthy scratch in four contests, and registered 20 tackles and two quarterback hits while playing around 20% of the defensive snaps. For a defensive line that needs someone to step up, the fact that Wooden was inactive as a healthy scratch multiple times might indicate his standing within the organization.
As we sit just days away from the draft, the defensive line is one of Green Bay’s most pressing needs. Conveniently, it is one of the stronger position groups in this year’s draft. Players like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant – both of whom have been mocked to Green Bay – fit the mold of impact players who could contribute from Day 1. High-impact players who can help rush the passer and play the run are exactly what Jeff Hafley needs to create pressure, only rushing four and not hurting the run defense.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Packers double-up — or even triple-up — on defensive tackles this year, given the positional strength of the class and the long-term uncertainties on their D-line. Kenny Clark is likely entering his final season with the team due to a $31.4 million cap hit in 2026, and there’s been no word yet on whether the team will pick up Devonte Wyatt’s fifth-year option.
The future at the position is looking thin. Last year, Brian Gutekunst took a similar approach with the safety position, adding multiple players. Stacking bodies at defensive tackle would be a wise investment now and in the future.
If the Packers select Harmon or Grant early and follow up with more talent later in the draft, there won’t be room for Colby Wooden. The team has 69 players under contract as of this writing. They will probably add eight more through the draft (give or take one or two, depending on trades), bringing the total to 77, leaving just 13 spots for undrafted free agents.
The Packers have a strong track record of keeping UDFAs. Last year marked the 20th-straight season that at least one made the final roster. They love to bring in a large undrafted free-agent class, hoping to find a diamond in the rough. Given all that, it’s hard to see how Wooden fits in after the dust settles.
Wooden also hasn’t contributed much on special teams, which will hurt his chances of making the roster. As a rookie, he logged just 45 special teams snaps. In Year 2, that number rose slightly to 51, roughly 10% and 11% of total special teams snaps each season. By contrast, his 2023 draft counterpart, Karl Brooks, played 102 snaps (23%) on special teams in 2024, including a game-saving blocked field goal against the Chicago Bears. Wooden hasn’t come close to making that kind of impact in any phase of the game.
The Packers probably would prefer not to move on from a fourth-round pick after just two seasons, but production has to matter at some point. In Wooden’s defense, it doesn’t appear to be for lack of effort. He gained 12 pounds of muscle last offseason to improve his play at the point of attack and his help with his transition from defensive end to interior defensive tackle, going from 278 to 290 lbs. Unfortunately, the improvements in the weight room didn’t translate to the field. And after this year’s draft, Wooden may need to reset his career elsewhere.
