The Ravens front office had many fans scratching their heads when they selected linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round of the 2014 draft. After all, just a year prior they picked Arthur Brown in the second round, proposing he was the future of the position.
My how times have changed. While they have seemingly missed on Brown – who has yet to see the field this season – the Ravens look like they have found the real deal in Mosley, at least through the first eight games of the season.
In a day and age when organizations expect first round draft picks to come in and produce immediately, Mosley has been aces for the Ravens defense. The former Alabama standout leads all NFL linebackers with six passes defensed (including two INTs) this season.
Mosley is the only NFL defender to post at least 70 tackles, an INT, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble entering Week 9. His 73 tackles, a team high, also leads all NFL rookies, and ranks fifth overall in the league.
Per Pro Football Focus, Mosley currently ranks as the NFL’s top inside linebacker with an overall grade of +11.3.
Stats aside, Mosley is catching the eyes of many who cover the league.
“C.J. is the definition of the modern linebacker,” stated Senior Bowl executive director and college football radio analyst Phil Savage (yes, Ravens fans, THAT Phil Savage). “He’s got the instincts and the athletic ability to run sideline to sideline,. He’s an ideal fit for the Ravens’ scheme. He can stay on the field for every down. … They have that phrase, ‘Play like a Raven.’ He definitely does that, he fits the profile – speed, toughness and instincts; he’s got all those.”
The proof is in the pudding when it comes to Mosley’s playing ability and he has been a huge part of a Ravens defense that has been stellar inside the red zone.
“The main thing down in the red zone is execution, and it’s a big sense of pride for the defense that we don’t want to let the other team into the end zone,” Mosley remarked. “We just stay calm. You’ve got to have communication and smart guys on defense, especially in the back end. There’s not much space, but there are so many things the offense can do running routes. It all comes back to communication, and we have that history of stopping people.”
With eight games remaining, many will be keeping a close eye on the Ravens rookie to see if he hits the so called “rookie wall.” Mosley has played a team-high 543 defensive snaps.
Lately the front office seems to have missed more than hit when it comes to draft picks. By no means is eight games enough to crown him the new Ray Lewis but fans should be excited and feel safe knowing he’s only going to get better.
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