The biggest offseason move the Indianapolis Colts made this year was not an outside free-agent signing or the re-signing of Daniel Jones or Alec Pierce, but the decision to trade away longtime veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin.Â
For eight years, Franklin was a cornerstone of the Colts organization, both on and off the field. So when Indianapolis traded him to the Green Bay Packers, it left a significant hole that needed to be filled. Colby Wooden wasn't going to fill that hole; he was the returning player in the trade, but at a different position, defensive tackle.Â
Eventually, the Colts signed a linebacker to add depth, but they still haven't truly replaced Franklin yet. As for Wooden, he was never meant to replace Franklin to begin with. That said, the gamble in moving off of Franklin for a lesser player in Wooden might actually be bearing fruit in the early days of training camp, and that's good news for the Colts.Â
Starting beside Grover Stewart has thrust Indianapolis Colts depth DT Colby Wooden into the spotlight
Unless something out of the blue happens with DeForest Buckner before the new season begins, Wooden isn't going to start for the Colts at defensive tackle; Grover Stewart mans the other side opposite Buckner. Wooden will be a backup, and that's okay. Who better to learn under than a Buckner-Grover duo?
Buckner, while having a green light to participate in training camp, has been easing back into things, opening the door for Wooden to take starting reps opposite Grover.
Suffice to say, early showings have produced good fruit from Wooden, who has had some excellent reps and is impressing early. According to Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo via Locked on Colts, Wooden is fitting in just fine.Â
"I'm super happy with Colby," Anarumo said after practice last week. "He's, as you mentioned, he's a multiple position guy, which you know how this league is, the more you can do, the more valuable you are. And he brings a great attitude every day. Tough, strong, athletic. That was a great move by Chris (Ballard), and we lost a great player, but I think we got a great player, too."
Again, Wooden was never meant to replace Franklin, even if they did play the same position. With Buckner's situation, however, Wood was a form of insurance. The Colts don't need another defensive tackle at the same level as Buckner or Grover to step in, just someone who can step in and do his job well.Â
Training camp progression so far is proving that Wooden is meeting expectations. What bodes well for Wooden further is how Anarumo likes to use his players. He loves hybrid players; players who can easily move around on the field and play more than one position. What he said about Wooden says a lot about how much usage could become a factor this season.
If Wooden excels in playing multiple positions, maybe playing behind Buckner and Stewart isn't his full-season fate after all. In any case, as far as underrated offseason additions go, Wooden is making his case. What Wooden does with the rest of training camp will be important, but at least he's making a risky trade look better for the Colts so far.
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