Connor Colby 2025 NFL Draft: Iowa OG Scouting Report
Coming out of Iowa, we have a versatile offensive lineman, Connor Colby. In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, he is an OG who may go in the later rounds of the draft. Today, we’ll be breaking down his NFL outlook in this scouting report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Connor Colby 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Colby arrived at Iowa as a highly touted four-star recruit out of John F. Kennedy High School, where his tenacity and physicality earned him first-team All-State honors as a junior and senior. A local product, Colby committed early to the Hawkeyes and quickly became a cornerstone of their offensive line. His freshman year marked a rare feat, as he became the first true freshman to start on Iowa’s offensive line since 2017, logging 11 starts at right guard. Over four seasons, Colby amassed 50 career starts—the second-most by an offensive lineman in the Kirk Ferentz era—showcasing durability and versatility with stints at right guard (37 starts), left guard (7 starts), and right tackle (6 starts). His senior year in 2024 solidified his reputation as a run-game anchor, earning him First-Team All-Big Ten honors while powering Iowa to a top-25 national ranking in rushing yards per game (197.2).
HT: 6056
WT: 309
HAND: 1000
ARM: 3200
40: 5.11
Strengths
- Run-Blocking: Colby thrives in Iowa’s zone-heavy scheme, displaying excellent instincts for angles and leverage. His ability to combo block and climb to the second level is a standout trait—he consistently washes linebackers out of plays with precise footwork and timing.
- Experience & Versatility: With 50 starts across three positions, Colby brings a plug-and-play mentality. His time at tackle demonstrates functional athleticism, while his guard play highlights his comfort in tight spaces.
- Competitive Toughness: A relentless finisher, Colby plays through the whistle with a mean streak that fits Iowa’s blue-collar identity. He excels at pinning defenders and sustaining blocks, often pancaking opponents on down blocks.
- Football IQ: Years in Iowa’s pro-style system have honed his pre-snap recognition and understanding of blocking assignments. He rarely misses a call and adjusts well to stunts and twists in the run game.
- Mobility: At nearly 6’6”, Colby moves surprisingly well for his size, pulling effectively on outside zone runs and screens. His agility shines when tasked with sealing edges or reaching linebackers in space.
Areas for Improvement
- Pass Protection Inconsistency: Colby’s upright stance and limited arm length (32 inches) hinder his ability to anchor against power rushers. He struggles to reset his base when bull-rushed, often conceding ground into the pocket.
- Pad Level Issues: While effective in the run game, Colby’s tendency to play high exposes him in pass sets. Quick interior rushers exploit this by getting under his pads and disrupting his balance.
- Lateral Agility: Against shifty defensive tackles with countermoves, Colby’s recovery skills are average. His feet can stall after initial contact, leaving him vulnerable to secondary rushes or stunts.
- Raw Power: Colby lacks elite displacement strength in gap schemes despite his size. He’s more of a technician than a mauler, which limits his ability to dominate one-on-one matchups against bigger nose tackles.
- Positional Fit: His tackle experience is a bonus, but his frame and skill set project him strictly as a guard at the next level. Teams needing tackle depth may overlook him.
Conclusion
Colby’s blend of experience, run-blocking chops, and competitive fire makes him a safe bet to stick in the NFL. His pass-protection limitations cap his ceiling, but he’s a classic “Iowa lineman” with the tools to carve out a multi-year career if paired with the right scheme and coaching.
Colby profiles as a developmental backup with spot-starter potential in a zone-oriented, run-heavy offense (e.g., Shanahan-style systems like the 49ers, Rams, or Dolphins). His experience and movement skills give him early roster value, but he’ll need coaching to shore up pass-protection flaws—particularly hand usage and anchor strength. Teams like the Steelers or Ravens, who value toughness and versatility, could target him in the fifth or sixth round as a depth piece with upside. In the right system, he could evolve into a reliable starter by Year 3; in a pass-heavy scheme, he risks being a liability.
Like Jon Runyan, Colby is a technically sound, scheme-specific guard with a high floor as a run blocker. Both lack elite length and power but compensate with effort and football IQ. Colby’s ceiling hinges on refining his pass protection.
Round Grade: 6th Round
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