Tag: Junior Colson

Early signs pointing to Derwin James wearing green dot for Chargers during 2024 season

Derwin James was spotted wearing what appeared to be a communications device at voluntary veteran minicamp.

The Chargers uploaded a series of photos from their voluntary veteran minicamp to the team’s website. Perhaps most interestingly, a picture of Derwin James wearing a communications device was uploaded.

Historically, players wearing an earpiece are usually relaying signal calls from the defensive coordinator. In this case, James would be the primary green dot play caller for Jesse Minter.

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James has worked as the team’s green dot previously. Last season, Brandon Staley handed the signal-calling responsibilities to a newly signed free agent in Eric Kendricks entering 2023. After an injury to Kendricks and an early defensive tailspin for the team, the green dot role went back to Kenneth Murray.

James had signal-calling responsibilities in both 2021 and parts of 2022. In 2022, Staley wanted to free up James’ ability to make plays by giving green dot responsibility to former Charger Drue Tranquill early in the season. It was a change of philosophy for Staley relative to how he talked about James’ role when he first was hired.

It’s still too early to suggest that James is getting the green dot role back relative to other options. With the draft quickly approaching, one has to wonder if the Chargers take a linebacker fairly early. Los Angeles publicly met with Michigan’s Junior Colson and Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper in Top 30 visits.

While we’re still a long way away from August and September, James’ contentment with being Minter’s signal relayer is nonetheless interesting and a potentially marked change.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 6, Michigan LB Junior Colson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Michigan linebacker Junior Colson.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers failed to add a veteran linebacker to pair with Quay Walker in free agency. With it being a weak linebacker class, Brian Gutekunst will have to strike early in hopes of landing a potential difference-maker to team with Walker. 

A linebacker that Gutekunst could target early in the draft is Junior Colson. The Michigan product checks in at No. 6 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A four-star recruit out of Tennessee, Colson recorded 61 tackles during his first season in Ann Arbor. The following season, Colson recorded 101 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks. 

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This past season, Colson played a pivotal role in helping the Wolverines win the National Championship. He finished the season with 95 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Mister in the right place at the right time. That sums up Colson’s game. He’s always where he needs to be and hunts the football. His instincts help him get a head start and he knifes through gaps with burst. He has the lateral quickness and agile feet to make plays sideline-to-sideline. 


Colson is a reliable open-field tackler, who missed 17 tackles during his three seasons at Michigan. He has good length to lasso ball carriers to the ground. He uses that length to get off blocks and keep himself clean. When he arrives he delivers a pop. 

“His play recognition and open field tackling standout,” Devin Jackson, the sports editor and NFL Draft writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, said. “He’s in almost every play and has the requisite speed and athleticism to move sideline-to-sideline.  Colson is assignment-sound, always in the right place at the right time, stacking and shedding opposing interior offensive linemen in the run game.”

Colson trusts his eyes in coverage and gets proper depth in his drops. The Michigan linebacker has good reactionary quickness to arrive quickly on throws in front of him to limit YAC. 

“Colson has shown promise in coverage, getting to his depth on passing downs with the ability to get his hands on the football and recording two pass breakups in the Big Ten championship game against Iowa,” Jackson said. 

Fit with the Packers

The Packers not only need depth at the linebacker position they need to add an impact player to pair with Walker. Colson is ready-made. He could step in on day one and help shore up Green Bay’s run defense. 

“Still fairly young in his development, Colson is a modern three-down linebacker who understands his run fits, ability to stack and shed, with good eyes in coverage at his stage of development,” Jackson said. “On his current trajectory, Colson can become a starter by the end of his rookie season. His play recognition is second to none in this class and has the physical makeup to be a difference-maker at the second level.”

With his instincts, downhill toughness, movement skills and age (21), Colson checks a lot of boxes.

The Packers need to get their hands on one of the Top Three linebackers in the class. They’d accomplish that by taking Colson with one of the two second-round picks they own. 

Colson is a steady presence in the middle and a reliable tackler. He looks like a veteran out there and would give Jeff Hafley a leader in the middle of the defense. 

2024 NFL draft: Steelers host LB Junior Colson for pre-draft visit

Pittsburgh continues to meet with some of the top draft prospects just a week out from the start of the 2024 NFL draft.

According to multiple reports the Pittsburgh Steelers had three 2024 NFL draft prospects in for pre-draft visits on Wednesday. One of those visitors was former Michigan linebacker Junior Colson.

In an offseason filled with splash plays for the Steelers one that has gotten a little lost in the shuffle is the addition of former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen. Queen gives the Steelers a top-tier inside linebacker they haven’t had in some time. So why bring in Colson for a pre-draft visit?

Because Colson is a perfect young player to come in and pair up with Queen and learn from him. Colson is a big inside linebacker, very physical and plays with a high motor. He’s also a leader and won the Lott IMPACT Award (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity).

Pittsburgh currently has veterans Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb under contract. There are concerns that Holcomb won’t be fully recovered from the significant knee injury he suffered in Week Nine of last season. Adding a young, athletic inside linebacker makes perfect sense and Colson passing the eyeball test for a Steelers linebacker.

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2024 NFL draft: Chargers hosted LB Junior Colson on top 30 visit

Junior Colson reunited with some of his former coaches from Michigan.

According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Michigan linebacker Junior Colson is meeting with “friendly faces” in Los Angeles for a top-30 visit with the Chargers.

Presumably, Colson would be reunited with former Michigan coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter at the Chargers’ Costa Mesa facility. It would mark the team’s second official top-30 visit for a Wolverine player in this cycle. Blake Corum had a meeting with the Bolts about two weeks ago.

Colson is arguably the headliner of this linebacker class, along with names like Payton Wilson and Edgerrin Cooper. The Chargers also met with Cooper on April 4th. It looks like LA is at least doing its research on a linebacker class that is viewed as top-heavy by many.

The former Michigan national championship linebacker is considered to be one of the best in coverage in the class. Colson registered an 83.4 PFF grade in coverage in 2023 and run defense grades of 80+ in each of the last two seasons.

The Chargers need more true starting-caliber linebackers even after the signing of Denzel Perryman. Colson, and presumably Daiyan Henley, would go a long way in nullifying some of Perryman’s known coverage deficiencies at his age.

Given Colson’s relationship with Minter, one has to wonder if he’s a potential dark horse candidate to take up green-dot play-calling responsibilities if drafted by the team.

When first hired, Minter stressed the importance of not overwhelming star safety Derwin James with responsibilities. While James could theoretically take over the green dot role post-Brandon Staley, it would be interesting to see if the new Chargers’ defensive coordinator looks towards another name on the defensive side of the ball instead. Colson would undoubtedly be a contender for that responsibility if drafted by LA.

Michigan LB Junior Colson named Day 2 fit for Browns in 2024 NFL draft

Could the Wolverines’ linebacker make his way to the Buckeye state?

As the Cleveland Browns get set for the 2024 NFL draft, Michigan linebacker Junior Colson continues to be named as a fit for them.

The latest publication to link the Browns and Colson is PFF, as Dalton Wasserman identified one player for each team that could be a fit on Day 2. Here is what Wasserman has to say about Colson and the Browns:

“Michigan’s Junior Colson would immediately improve a linebacker group that finished 27th in the NFL in run-defense grade last season. He isn’t flashy, but he is very fundamentally sound and missed only five tackles during his final season at Michigan. He would complement Jordan Hicks and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah very well until he is ready to prove himself as a starter.”

While the Browns signed Hicks to a two-year deal this offseason, adding former first round pick Devin Bush as well, the future of the room is a bit murky. There is no doubt the Browns will look to extend one of their own in Owusu-Koramoah, but Tony Fields II and Bush are both set for free agency after the 2024 season.

Could Colson make his way to Cleveland?

Titans, Michigan LB Junior Colson complete top-30 visit

The Titans recently hosted Michigan linebacker Junior Colson on a 30 visit.

Star Michigan linebacker Junior Colson visited the Tennessee Titans’ facility on Wednesday afternoon, according to his Instagram.

Colson is projected to be one of the first linebackers to hear their name called in the NFL draft later this month. The Haiti native is a prime candidate for the Titans in the second round.

Colson moved to Brentwood, Tennessee when he was nine years old, starting his football journey. He went on to become a staple of the Michigan Wolverines National Championship defense.

Colson, 21, had an outstanding season in 2023, recording a stellar 81.7 PFF grade. His efforts earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors.

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The 6-foot-3, 247-pound linebacker possess ideal size and football IQ to be a high-level starter in the NFL. His game is highlighted by his ability to play in all situations and his sure-handed tackling. Colson’s 4.7% missed tackle rate was one of the lowest in the nation last season.

The Titans have a clear need at linebacker. Tennessee’s group currently consists of Kenneth Murray, who has had a poor NFL career, and two promising but unproven undrafted free agents in Jack Gibbens and Otis Reese IV.

Colson would be a welcomed addition to the room, with a good chance to start as a rookie.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

Quick look at 2024 NFL draft landscape at linebacker for Packers

The Packers need linebackers. The best avenue for adding at this point? The 2024 draft.

Brian Gutekunst went to the market to sign a veteran linebacker to pair with Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s general manager discovered that the linebacker aisle was picked over, like the toy aisle the day before Christmas. 

With the linebacker market barren, the Packers will likely need to trade for a veteran or use the draft to bolster the linebacker room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Let’s take a look at some linebackers that the Packers could target in the 2024 NFL draft.

Potential Target at 25

Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper is an explosive mover and a true difference-maker. He can impact the game as a run defender, as a blitzer, or in coverage. If Cooper were to land in Green Bay he’d be the best linebacker on the roster, and no that’s not a shot at Walker. It’s a credit to Cooper. 

Cooper may be viewed as a bit of a reach in the first round, but the same thing can be said about Eric Stokes, Quay Walker, etc. Cooper would be a home run pick at 41, but Gutekunst may see the value in taking the impactful linebacker with the 25th overall pick. 

Day 2 Targets

Cedric Gray, UNC

Gray was all over the field this past season for the Tar Heels. He recorded 121 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. The UNC linebacker works his way through the trash against the run and has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Junior Colson, Michigan

Mr. Always in the Right Place at the Right Time, Colson would be a steady presence in the middle of Green Bay’s defense. Colson is comfortable dropping in space and does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes. He has the range as a run defender to shut-down outside runs and is a reliable tackler. He is quick to diagnose and beats blockers to the spot. 

Payton Wilson, NC State

Every team could use a Payton Wilson. If he had a clean bill of health (two leg injuries), he’d be in the Potential Target at 25 tier with Cooper. The NC State product is the complete package at linebacker. He’s a physical, downhill defender against the run and he has the movement skills to hold up in coverage.

Day 3 Targets

Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

From walk-on to captain, Ulofoshio had quite the journey during his time at Washington. The Alaska native is all heart and his motor is always running. He trusts his eyes and is quick to react to meet ball carriers in the hole. The Husky linebacker shows good instincts in coverage.

Jordan Magee, Temple

Magee isn’t a hulking linebacker, but he has the functional strength to destroy blocks and disrupt the action. He’s a smart player that is quick to read and react. The Temple linebacker gets good depth on his drops and looks comfortable moving laterally. Magee logged 307 snaps on special teams during his collegiate career and could carve out a role in that regard immediately as a rookie. 

Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Liufau plays like his hair is on fire and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He has the sideline-to-sideline quickness and is comfortable dropping into space.

Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Wallace is an outstanding athlete with the sideline-to-sideline range to chase down ball carriers. A former track athlete, Wallace is the type of prospect that Gutekunst has a history of targeting. If his instincts ever catch up to his athletic traits, Wallace could develop into quite the difference-maker at the next level.

Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

A team will roll the dice on the Penn State linebacker’s athletic traits. With his quickness and his experience on special teams, it’s a safe bet that he could develop into a core player on special teams. Jacobs is a twitched-up athlete with the movement skills to hold up on coverage. 

JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

Bertrand is a cerebral player who trusts his eyes and is quick to read the action. He’s a downhill player, who does a good job of sifting through the trash to locate the ball carrier. With his instincts, relentless motor and special teams experience, Bertrand would be a solid addition to Green Bay’s linebacker room. 

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

Baltimore lost five players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and with a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first round of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.