From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Iowa offensive lineman Connor Colby.
#77 Connor Colby/OL Iowa – 6056, 309 pounds (Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Connor Colby 6056/309 10 33 77 1/8
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
5.11 1.78 4.63 7.78
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
9’2″ 28.5 N/A
The Good
– Impressive athletic ability
– Strong explosiveness out of stance
– Very good zone blocker
– Athleticism gives him great reach blocking ability
– Does a good job getting to second level on inside zone as the play-side guard
– Decent play strength
– Powerful downhill drive due to constant moving legs
– Understands run scheme and attack points
– Will be a good starter on a zone team
The Bad
– Can overset on second level blocks on duo
– Average grip strength as a pass protector
– Possesses a lot of inconsistencies with technique in pass protection
– Plays with arms close to body and lets defenders get into his frame first
– High pad level in pass protection
– Inconsistent anchor vs power rushers
– Does not react well to handsy pass rushers
– Does not have a strong punch to knock back defensive linemen
– Loses assignment in stunts when pass protecting
– Bad technique as a puller; most of the time will throw a shoulder instead of engaging in block
Bio
– Started 50 games across 4 years at Iowa
– 2024: allowed 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 6 hurries in 316 pass block snaps
– Received First Team All-Big Ten honors
– Named to Phil Steele Third-Team All-America and semifinalist for Joe Moore Award
– 2023: allowed 1 sack, 2 QB hits, and 11 hurries in 327 pass block snaps
– Received Third Team All-Big Ten honors
– Named Academic All-Big Ten
– 2022: allowed 3 sacks, 5 QB hits, and 11 hurries in 371 pass block snaps
– Started the first 6 games at right tackle and then the next 7 at left guard
– Named Freshman All-American (FWAA)
– Four-star prospect out of John F. Kennedy High School in Iowa
– 2 recruit out of Iowa and the No. 11 interior offensive lineman in the country
– Named First-Team All-State as a junior and senior
Tape Breakdown
Connor Colby has started 50 games in his career at Iowa and was an anchor for their offensive line, playing multiple different positions, most recently at right guard. He is best used as a guard due to his athletic ability, zone-blocking skill, and struggles in pass protection.
Colby does a lot of encouraging things as a run blocker, and I would say he is an extremely impressive zone blocker. The way he explodes out of his stance immediately puts him in a position to win and speaks to his good athletic ability. He shows great IQ when walling off defenders and takes pride in his zone blocking skills.
His athleticism shows up as a reach blocker, where he shows incredible ability to get over multiple gaps to wall off his assignment. He constantly drives his legs to push them downfield when he makes contact with the defender. When getting to the second level as a play-side guard, he gets attached quickly and maneuvers them with his strong grip. On this play, he controls the linebacker and brings him to the ground.
On gap runs, Colby loses some skill. As a puller, he shows lazy technique by throwing his shoulder at the defender rather than attacking with squared shoulders and low pad level. His downhill drive is impressive on zone runs, but when he has to get directly downhill, he has trouble moving defenders. They can stand him up and locate the ball carrier, making a play on the ball.
On duo runs, he can have out-of-control feet and overset when trying to get to the second level, which results in the linebacker making a play. He is still serviceable as a gap blocker but will be best used in a primary zone scheme. On this play, he displays erratic feet that overset to the linebacker.
In pass protection, Colby struggles with technique and hand-fighting ability. When he is going against a straight-line bull rusher, he shows an inconsistent anchor that can be pushed into the quarterback. He is already a taller guard, and his pad level gives him a weaker base that can be bullrushed quickly. On this play, he gets knocked back into the quarterback, causing a fumble.
He struggles if the pass rusher has any skill with hands or a quick get-off. The worst thing he does is not extend his arms to make first contact with the defender. His arms are not short, but how he uses them makes him look like he has 31-inch arms. He tries to catch the pass rusher, resulting in a quick chop of his hands or a rip move that he will not recover from. When he does not have a 1v1 matchup, he does not provide positive help to his teammates, and there are some plays where he does not block anyone.
His IQ in pass protection is low, and he gets confused by stunts and loses good body positioning. The play strength he shows as a zone blocker goes away, and his arm strength is what worries me the most. His grip strength in pass protection is weak, and he can lose reps deep into the play rather than winning quickly and staying in control.
Because he is such a good zone run blocker, he does a good job on play-action plays that look like outside zone. On this play, he brings the defender to the ground by using good leverage.
Conclusion
Connor Colby is a veteran at the college level, which is apparent when watching his blocking on zone runs. I think he can be a solid starter in a run, and zone-heavy team where he can be helped in pass protection. He has good explosiveness off the ball and is a great reach blocker while holding his body positioning and driving downfield. But he is just an average blocker on gap runs, and his struggles in pass protection are evident.
To maximize his role as a pro, he will need to clean up his technique and win as a pass protector. Colby fits a very specific role, but I am confident in his ability if he goes to the right team. My comp for him is Zak Zinter.
Projection: Mid-Day 3
Depot Draft Grade: 7.1 – 4th Round (Rotational Player)
Games Watched: vs Iowa State (2024), at Ohio State (2024), vs Nebraska (2024)
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