Colby Wooden

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		47	0.5	87	13
2025		17	0.0	50	6.5
2024		13	0.0	20	2.5
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The C+ Contract Value Index on Colby Wooden's deal stems from how the cap hit lines up against on-field output. At $1.15M AAV on his rookie scale contract, Wooden is absorbing minimal cap burden for a third-year defensive tackle who logged 50 tackles across 17 games in the 2025 season—solid foundational production for a rotational starter, though not yet elite-tier interior disruption. As a fourth-round pick from Auburn now entering his prime developmental window at age 25, his current rookie deal pricing is inherently favorable; the real question is whether his output will justify the opportunity the Colts invested in acquiring him via trade. Media framing positions Wooden as a legitimate starter-for-starter swap and a young defensive disruptor with considerable untapped upside, suggesting evaluators see genuine potential beyond his current tackle totals. The four-year term keeps him locked into bargain pricing through his prime years, which is exactly where a team needs cost-controlled production on the defensive line—though his C-grade performance metric indicates he remains a developing asset rather than an immediate impact force. If Wooden matures into a consistent full-time starter as the narrative suggests is possible, Indianapolis will have captured exceptional value; if he remains a rotational piece, the deal is still neutral-to-favorable given the salary anchor and positional scarcity.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Colby's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Colby Wooden is a three-year veteran defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts still searching for consistency at age 25. The 47-game starter has shown flashes of competence this season but remains a below-average producer relative to positional standards. His current C-grade performance marks modest improvement over a troubling D-rated 2024 and D-minus 2023, suggesting slow developmental trajectory rather than established reliability. Wooden's tackle production stands notably above league average at 2.94 per game versus the 1.82 NFL median, demonstrating solid gap discipline and run-defense instincts. His tackle-for-loss rate of 0.38 per game also exceeds the 0.27 benchmark, indicating effective penetration on early downs. However, his pass-rush inconsistency is glaring: 0.18 QB hits per game trails the 0.29 average significantly, revealing limited ability to affect quarterbacks—a critical deficiency for interior linemen in today's pass-heavy league. The concern here is whether Wooden can develop viable pass-rush counters beyond his run-stuffing baseline. His body of work across three seasons has been largely uninspiring, and the recent upward trend from D to C is encouraging but preliminary. Indianapolis will need to see sustained improvement in quarterback pressures and a more explosive final step before considering him a cornerstone piece. Watch closely for refinement in his hand placement and shed techniques this offseason; his ceiling remains solid rotational starter, but elite status appears unlikely without dramatic progression.

How Colby Compares at the Position

Colby Wooden ranks 96th of 217 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Colby between Kentavius Street (C) just ahead and Adetomiwa Adebawore (C) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

The Colts traded away their NFL-leading tackler for a rotational defensive tackle—a curious lateral move. Media coverage emphasizes this as a straight swap between starters, though Wooden hasn't matched Franklin's production. Trading a defensive leader coming off a career year signals concerning roster priorities. Fans widely questioned giving up Franklin's proven excellence for an unproven depth upgrade. Indianapolis must immediately develop Wooden or face defensive regression in 2025.