Junior Golson and Cedric Gray

[Pantherbro13]

What’s the thought on these two rookie LBs? I like them both, think both could become good IDP assets and both be green dot LBs by year two.

[Menace2010]

Colson is likely the centerpiece of the Chargers LB room after the off-season. Gray could become that long-term, but I'm not as confident in his profile and am not sure he can take on that role in year 1.

[killer_of_giants]

it's colson, by the way.

i like him, good athlete, overall good instincts, including in coverage. despite the frame, lacks a bit of physicality at times, and needs to improve his reading and understanding of the game as his athleticism is probably not good enough to make a living off of it in the nfl (a la devin white or jordyn brooks), but both are areas that can be improved and he's allegedly very hardworking and focused on improving. green dot in year 2 is possible, but not a given, and unlikely in year one.

gray is a versatile LB (i.e. he doesn't excel at anything, but can play where and when you need him), although i think he shines the most in coverage. fast, but not too explosive. needs to read the run better, and he's too easy to block. not uncommon things for round 3/4 LBs, but there's work to do. i'm not a big fan of murray but they paid him, and gibbens made his way from UDFA to starter in one season and has earned it the hard way, although the competition was less than fierce, so there's a chance gray overtakes him at some point.
i don't see him as green dot guy, but a new DC who wants to be aggressive may find value in gray.

[IR1]

So far, not much results/data. Colson a hold for next year? Hard to get a read on him with all the injuries.

[Menace2010]

Colson was a high-quality prospect and got drafted by his college coach. Definitely a hold despite the abysmal start to his career.

[IR1]

Colson was a high-quality prospect and got drafted by his college coach. Definitely a hold despite the abysmal start to his career.

[Space Cowboy]

I never saw much from Colson but when Harbaugh re-invested that speaks volumes.

Still, Henley is the superior talent and has been lights out this year.