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2014 NFL Draft Rumors: C.J. Mosley drawing interest from Chicago Bears?

By Patrick Schmidt

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Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) runs toward Oklahoma Sooners ball carrier during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) runs toward Oklahoma Sooners ball carrier during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears own the 14th pick in the 2014 NFL draft and with a number of holes to address on defense it would be a safe bet that general manager Phil Emery and head coach Marc Trestman address that side of the ball in May’s draft.

Former Pittsburgh Panthers All-American defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been a popular pick in mock drafts and former Alabama Crimson Tide safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be an option considering the woeful state of the Bears secondary, but it’s his teammate at Alabama that could be the top option for the team if C.J. Mosley is on the board according to veteran NFL reporter Dan Pompei.

"“It seems as if a lot of people are forgetting about the linebacker position, but I’ll bet Phil Emery is not. The Bears have a number of bodies, but that isn’t to say they can’t get somebody in the draft who would blow away the competition. Personally, I think C.J. Mosley is a pretty special prospect. And I think if he is there at 14, there is a good chance he will be the best player on the board–at any position. The only thing I’m not sure of is if he would be best at middle linebacker or weak side linebacker. Some scouts think he would be best on the weak side, which could make him a successor to Lance Briggs. Either way, I don’t think anyone should rule him out as a possibility for the Bears.”"

Mosley’s versatility makes him an attractive option for the Bears who have a stopgap in D.J. Williams at middle linebacker and John Bostic and Shea McClellin battling for reps at the strongside after failing at middle linebacker and defensive end, respectively. Needless to say, neither can be counted on being a fixture at linebacker.

Briggs has arguably been the best weakside linebacker in the NFL over the last decade, but is nearing the end of his borderline Hall of Fame career and needs a successor with last year’s fourth round pick Khaseem Greene another question mark.

Moreover, the drafting of Mosley would give the Bears a future leader and face of the defense that the team lacked last season after the retirement of Brian Urlacher.

If Mosley is on the board at 14, don’t be surprised to see the Bears add the former Alabama linebacker.

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