March 8, 2026, 8:07 a.m. ET
What grades did NFL experts give the Indianapolis Colts for trading Zaire Franklin to the Packers in exchange for Colby Wooden?
The salary swap between the two players took the Colts from the salary cap red to just now barely being cap compliant — although more cap maneuvers will still have to be made.
However, losing Franklin leaves the Colts very short on experienced depth at linebacker. Addressing linebacker should have already been a priority this offseason, but that need has now been heightened.
Wooden, meanwhile, bolsters the defensive tackle rotation, specifically adding a run-first presence to the position behind Grover Stewart.
Let’s see how several analysts evaluated the quality of this trade from the Colts’ perspective.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Grading Colts’ Zaire Franklin trade with Packers
What Seth Walde had to say: “Wooden is a nose tackle who played 52% of snaps for Green Bay last season. He figures to be a depth player for the Colts, who already have Grover Stewart at nose tackle. Wooden, a 2023 fourth-round pick, is in the last year of his contract, which will cost the Colts just over $1 million. Stewart is in the final year of his contract, too.”
What Cory Woodroof had to say: “We love this for the Colts. Franklin could have easily been a salary cap casualty, and to get Wooden in return is a coup for Chris Ballard. This is good business for Indy.”
What Eva Geitheim had to say: “This move isn’t necessarily a game-changer for the Colts, but allows them to brush off Franklin’s salary with a promising young piece in Wooden, who recorded 50 total tackles and a pass breakup this past season. If Wooden doesn’t work out, he will become a free agent next offseason anyway.”