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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Junior Colson

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Quinten Krzysko | Last updated Feb 8, 2024 5:27 PM ET

Junior Colson NFL Draft Profile

College: Michigan
College Position: Off-ball linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: Off-ball linebacker
Height/Weight: 6’3", 247 pounds
Year / Age: Junior / 21 (22 in December)
Draft Projection: Top 75
Where I’d Take Him: Fourth round

Background

Coming out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee, Junior Colson was a four-star recruit and the No. 13 linebacker prospect in the country, per 247Sports. Colson held offers from various Power Five programs including Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, USC, and Wisconsin before committing to Michigan.

In 2023, Colson earned second-team All-Big-Ten honors. He started 36 of his 43 games played at the college level. According to PFF, Colson was used primarily in the box (1,154 career snaps). However, he played 169 snaps in the slot and 157 snaps along the defensive line.

Among 219 FBS linebackers with at least 500 snaps in 2023, Colson ranked 14th in overall PFF grade, 14th in coverage grade, 20th in run defense grade, 157th in pass-rush grade, and third in tackling grade. He totaled 68 solo tackles (61st) with a missed tackle rate of only 4.7% (third-lowest).

Michigan LB Junior Colson is my highest graded linebacker so far in the class.

I think he is a day two player who could go as high as the 2nd round for a LB needy team. But for the Bears, I would not think he is truly in play unless he fell to day three somehow.

✅Large,… pic.twitter.com/lTxz6V3bXu
— Quinten Krzysko (@ButkusStats) February 8, 2024

Strengths

Large, proportional frame with speed to play in a variety of coverages
Size to challenge at the LOS as a stack LB
Knows zone landmarks and shows good instincts for covering up throwing windows
Fluid hips to flip open/closed as needed
Sideline-to-sideline athlete with closing burst and pop at the tackle point
Very few limitations athletically

Weaknesses

Has the frame to play stack LB but doesn't bring the same pop to blockers as he does ballcarriers
Must become more violent with hands at the block point
Hesitant to commit against run plays (RPOs, Read Option, PA looks)
Takes poor angles in pursuit of the football when playing from behind
Not a natural downhill defender against the run or to contest pass attempts
Can he develop more of a killer instinct against the run?

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Junior Colson

Colson currently has a top-75 grade from our team. And while I could see a linebacker-hungry team grabbing him inside the top 50, I wouldn't suggest the Bears target him until the fourth round. And that suggestion has very little to do with the player, but everything to do with the Bears' depth at linebacker.

Colson shows excellent zone instincts in a frame that the Bears covet. His athletic traits and size should make him a fit in any defensive scheme. Although, his measurements at the NFL Combine will be important. If he truly weighs 247 pounds, I could see his draft value skyrocket into the top 40 picks. Colson has all the tools required to improve his stack and shed ability.

For the Bears, Colson would be worth adding to the roster anytime on Day 3. He's likely to be drafted well before then, so I'm not optimistic that there's much of a fit to discuss. I don't think the Bears have any reason to target a linebacker in the draft with Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, and Noah Sewell all under contract. If Colson were to fall in the draft, I think the Bears would have difficulty justifying the pick, even though it would be great value.

Pro Comp: Bobby Okereke

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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