2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers LB Junior Colson

To get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, here are some highlights of Junior Colson.

The Chargers addressed the linebacker position with the selection of Junior Colson in the third round.

Los Angeles needed more playmakers in the middle of the defense, and the addition of Colson provides it with an athletic backer with good speed to make plays in open space and coverage skills.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of Colson.

 

 

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting LB Junior Colson

Analyzing the Chargers’ selection of Michigan linebacker Junior Colson with the 69th overall selection.

The Chargers have added their first Wolverine player of the Jim Harbaugh era.

But it wasn’t running back Blake Corum or wide receiver Roman Wilson, both heavily rumored to be landing in LA sometime on Friday evening.

Instead, it was linebacker Junior Colson, who I mocked to the Chargers with this selection in my first projection at the beginning of April. Colson should compete for playing time with 2023 third-rounder Daiyan Henley next to veteran Denzel Perryman, who signed this offseason in a reunion.

Perryman turns 32 in December, however, and was signed to just a one-year deal. The plan will almost certainly be to start Henley and Colson in the long term, with Colson at middle linebacker and Henley in more of an outside linebacker role.

Adopted out of Haiti in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, Colson has one of the more heartwarming stories in the draft. But his play is anything but wholesome – he’s a hard tackler with the athleticism to cover the entire field. He does so cleanly: Colson was not penalized a single time in 2023.

Colson has said before “unless I can’t physically move, I’m going to be out there playing.” That’s exactly the mentality Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz are looking for in this new era of Chargers football.

And now, Colson will bring that toughness to Los Angeles.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick LB Junior Colson with No. 69 overall selection

The Chargers upgraded the linebacker room with the selection of Junior Colson.

The Chargers selected former Michigan linebacker Junior Colson with the No. 69 overall pick.

Los Angeles added Denzel Perryman and Troy Dye in free agency, but the positional room needed more playmakers and additional depth. Colson reunites with Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter.

Colson is a rangy and explosive linebacker whose coverage skills are high-quality NFL traits. He has the speed to stay in phase with tight ends and running backs and is also effective in the run game.

During his time at Michigan, Colson racked up 256 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 2.5 sacks.