2014 NFL Draft grades: Baltimore Ravens select C.J. Mosley
By Jack Crosby
With the 17th selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, head coach John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens decided to go in the direction of defense with the pick of former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley.
You can already start the “Mosley is the next Ray Lewis conversation,” which some will certainly do, although we should all hold off on that talk.
However, that’s not to say that Mosley can’t be something special with some development under the Ravens’ coaching staff. In four years at Alabama, Mosley compiled 319 total tackles with 23 of those for loss and 6.5 sacks while collecting two national championship rings under Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.
This pick by the Ravens may have surprised some, however they’re still trying to rejuvenate that defense since the losses of the likes of Lewis and safety Ed Reed.
I do believe, however, while Mosley is a talented player, the team need for the Ravens here was either an offensive tackle to protect Joe Flacco who spent a good majority of the year last season running for his life, or another big wide receiver threat for Flacco to get the ball to.
Still, down the road, they may have found the new anchor of their defensive unit.
Grade: B-