Summary

Connor Colby was selected in Round 7 (#249 Overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft out of University of Iowa. Colby played four seasons for the Hawkeyes and appeared in 54 games, making 50 starts — the second-most career starts by any OL in the tenure of longtime coach Kirk Ferentz. In 2024, he earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors after a season where he started all 13 games at right guard and helped Iowa average 197.2 rushing yards per game — one of the highest figures in school history. Colby is known for his reliability, versatility (he saw snaps at right guard, left guard, and even right tackle in college), and for being technically sound in zone-based schemes. His character is described as that of a steady, high-effort lineman with a team-first attitude — the kind of player willing to fight through adversity and fill multiple roles.

Strengths

• Positional versatility & experience: Colby started across multiple positions — right guard (majority), left guard, and right tackle — giving him a flexible profile useful for depth and injury resilience.

• Run-blocking reliability: Colby shows a mean streak and has shown an ability to sustain blocks and finish on combo-blocks/climb-blocks, aiding the run game especially in zone-scheme contexts.

• Athletic traits for interior line: Colby posted respectable athletic measures (e.g., broad jump, shuttle, 3-cone drill) for a guard suggesting he can move reasonably well in space and adjust in second-level blocks.

• Mental processing & assignment-sound play: Between Colby’s ability to play the game with an edge and his football IQ, he is able to processes defensive fronts well and shows awareness in zone/inside-zone schemes.

Weaknesses

• Raw pass-protection technique : Colby’s muscle memory in pass protection leads him to play high at times, causing him to drop his pad level and leverage.

• Limited anchor power: While adequate for zone-scheme run blocking, his strength and anchor are questioned when it comes to power-game matchups, especially against strong, heavy defensive tackles or bull-rush moves.

• Technique refinement needed (hands, balance, feet through contact): As a developmental guard, Colby will likely need coaching to polish his hands, balance, leverage, and sustain through contact to consistently handle NFL-level defenders.

• Late-round pedigree: As a 7th-round pick, he has less “investment capital,” meaning early struggles or inconsistency may limit his long-term opportunities compared to higher-drafted linemen.

Outlook

Colby projects as a versatile depth guard/backup-lineman likely to start his NFL career as a rotational or swing interior lineman, with potential to develop into a starter in a zone-heavy or movement-based scheme. His background at Iowa (a program known for producing technically sound linemen), his experience across multiple line spots, and his run-game reliability make him an appealing developmental option for a team emphasizing versatility and depth. In the near term, his outlook is modest but hopeful: given the turnover and injuries typical on offensive lines, a player like Colby with his flexibility and experience could earn rotational snaps or spot starts early. If he refines his pass-protection technique, improves lower-body leverage, and maintains consistency, he could push for a regular starting job. Long-term, his ceiling is probably that of a solid starting guard rather than a star — but for a 7th-round pick, that’s a win.