3 defensive Michigan players the Chargers may draft for Jesse Minter

Junior Colson, LB

Linebacker is one of the most interesting positions that the Chargers need to evaluate this offseason. Last season's starting linebackers were Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray and there are no guarantees that either player is retained next season.

Kendricks is a cap casualty candidate after a less-than-stellar season in 2023. Kendricks is only getting older and for a team that is so far over the cap, getting his figure off the books is probably the best thing to do.

Murray is a free agent and he has not done anything in his four years on the Chargers to warrant a new deal. With a new regime in place, there are no existing ties to Murray and that hurts his chances even more. That being said, if the Chargers were to re-sign him it would come at an extremely cheap price, so that may help his cause.

Then you have sophomore linebacker Daiyan Henley who hardly played on defense and could be another Tom Telesco mid-round whiff in the draft. If Harbaugh and Minter don't like Henley then this room could use a complete overhaul.

Part of that overhaul may include Junior Colson, who is the best of two Michigan linebackers who are coming into the league. Colson is big, athletic, and thrived in Minter's defense at the collegiate level. The easiest way to ensure Colson will be successful in the NFL is putting him in the same defense and that is what the Chargers would do.

Los Angeles would likely have to use a third-round pick to secure Colson's services, which might seem a bit high. However, with how impressive he was at Michigan and with how big of a need it is, don't be surprised if Colson is taken on day two by LA.