Junior Colson | Michigan 6’2” | 238 lbs 12/06/2002 (Age 21)
Junior Colson was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, becoming the second Linebacker and 69th overall player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Junior Colson grew up in Haiti and was adopted in 2012 after entering an orphanage after the devastating Haitian earthquakes. In 2021, Junior Colson appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman and even earned seven starts, recording 61 total tackles, two PBUs, and a 0.5 sack. His sophomore season in 2022 saw him earn second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors after he started all 14 games he played in. He registered 101 tackles, six TFLs, 2.0 sacks, and a PBU for the season. In 2023 Colson won the Lott IMPACT Award and earned second-team All-Big Ten Conference honors again. He led his team with 95 total tackles and also registered two TFLs and 2 PBUs. He started all 15 games for the national champion Wolverines.
FILM
Junior Colson is already an inspiring success story given his past. Colson vaulted his way up the Michigan Wolverine depth chart, which is an impressive feat in its own right given the talent that has been drafted out of Big Blue. Colson is an extremely tough and durable player, having played through injuries and never missing a game in his collegiate career. As an athlete, he does not possess elite sideline-to-sideline speed, but he is capable in coverage and brings the wood to opposing offensive linemen. He has great stopping power and is a very sure tackler. Due to his consistency as a player and his preparation with film study, he is capable of staying on the field for all three downs, despite lacking the desired speed.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Colson did not participate in any NFL Combine tests or drills due to an injury.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Above-average
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent
Colson was selected with the 69th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Junior Colson is scooped up as the second LB off the board and at the beginning of the third round, to his former coach in Jim Harbaugh. It is hard to argue there could be any better of a landing spot for Colson. The Chargers have lacked a consistent force in the middle for many years, and though they have tried to address it via the draft and free agency, this feels like the move that will finally get it done. Colson already knows what Harbaugh wants out of him and can step into a three-down LB role immediately as a rookie or sit a few weeks and learn behind Denzel Perryman. Once Colson improves his instincts he will be able to regularly make impact plays at the next level.
Colson is often the second LB taken in dynasty IDP rookie drafts, but he ranks as your author’s rookie LB1 of this class. He comes in as the fourth overall IDP rookie. Expect to see him drafted at the end of the second or early third rounds of dynasty IDP rookie drafts this offseason. Colson may not be a starter on opening day, but he will certainly be an every-down starter in your lineup by the end of the fantasy season.
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