Round 3, Pick 68: Junior Colson, LB/Michigan
Tampa Bay threw zagged when everyone thought they'd zig last year by choosing to spend most of their picks on the defensive side of the ball. The pendulum should swing more toward the offense but picking up a potential stud linebacker feels like the perfect move to pepper into the mix.
Michigan's Junior Colson has established himself as one of the best linebackers in the country, if not the most talented one in this year's draft. There's a case to be made for Edgerrin Cooper out of Texas A&M, but the Bucs would perhaps be getting the better player in Colson.
Michigan LB Junior Colson is my highest graded linebacker so far in the class.
— Quinten Krzysko (@ButkusStats) February 8, 2024
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.
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Last year was a standout year, with Colson helping lead the country's No. 1 defense to a national title, but he's had sustained success over his career at Michigan. He recorded 196 combined tackles over the last two seasons, and has speed that allows him to be a disruptor almost anywhere on the field.
That includes his ability to pass rush and run stuff, which is something that Todd Bowles loves to see out of his linebackers and could be useful in replacing Devin White. Tampa Bay's linebacking group is going to look different in a few years with White likely gone, Lavonte David near the end of his Hall of Fame career, and young players such as Yaya Diaby and SirVocea Dennis looking to make a name for themselves.
Colson could step in and be the guy who replaces White while also forming a nasty trio alongside Diaby and Dennis for years to come.