With the 17th Pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Ravens Select: CJ Mosley
- Updated: May 8, 2014
C.J. Mosley, LB, 6-2, 234, Alabama
Key stats: In the past two seasons had: 215 tackles, 2 interceptions and 9 passes defensed.
Strengths: Mosley is a leader on the field, who is intelligent, and displays elite instincts for the position. … He is very versatile and has very few weaknesses. … Can tackle, blitz and cover. … Consistently beats blockers to the point of attack, and diagnoses plays as if he were in the offensive huddle. … Dives into creases to make stops behind the line. … Scrapes and finishes. … A very solid tackler. … Able to covers the deep middle in pass defense. … Takes good angles in the pass game. … Has very good hands, and is solid in man and zone coverage. … Is NFL ready.
Weaknesses: Durability is a concern. … He’s had a dislocated hip and elbow as well as shoulder surgery. … Mosley is a little light and could use some muscle and strength to both his lower and upper body to handle the rigors of being an NFL linebacker. … Has some trouble being overpowered if fullbacks or linemen get out on him and lock him up.
Conclusion: Injury is the only thing that could keep Mosley from being a star in the NFL. … When you combine physical talent with tremendous instincts, you get an impact player. … Three-down linebackers are not easy to find … and Mosley is certainly one of them. … Could remain in the middle or move to the weak side. Either way, he should find his way into the starting lineup in his career.
NFL comparison: Sean Lee/Lavonte David.
CJ Mosley is heading to Baltimore at seventeen overall.
Why It Works: The Ravens have been shopping for a formidable interior linebacker, Alabama is known for producing them. CJ Mosley is a great pick for Baltimore because he will be folded in to a linebacking corps with Elvis Dumervil and Daryl Smith. This can be a rather explosive situation. The Ravens have been searching for the next Ray Lewis, CJ Mosley may be the closest rendition.
Draft Grade: A – Heady selection by Ozzie Newsome and company. The Raven defense should be headlined by their potent linebacking corps.
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