NFL Draft Prospect Profile: ILB C.J. Mosley

Packers prospect profile: ILB CJ Mosley

Player Information:

C.J. Mosley,  ILB  Alabama, 6-2, 234 pounds,  Hometown: Theodore, AL

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: N/A

Vertical jump: 35″

225 lb. bench: N/A

Broad jump: 9’8″

Shuttle:  4.40

3-Cone Drill: 7.30

News and Notes:

He was the leader of the Crimson Tide’s suffocating defense in 2013 on his way to winning the Butkus award for being college football’s best linebacker . His 107 tackles in 2012 were the second highest by an Alabama player in the past 25 years.  Had a key interception against LSU in the BCS National Championship Game.

 What they’re saying about him: 

• NFL.com:  Exceptional instincts — triggers fast downhill. Outstanding urgency. Plays with very good knee bend, balance and base. Secure, drive-through tackler. Hits with explosion and jars ball carriers on impact. Excellent lateral agility — flows fast and ranges to the sideline.  Has a narrow build. Has been slowed by elbow, hip and shoulder injuries throughout his career and long-term durability will require thorough inspection by medical examiners. Gets hung up on the blitz (shoulder stiffness) and must learn how to use more finesse picking a side instead of relying on bull power and striking blockers down the middle.
• CBSSports.com: : Mosley does a nice job using his length and lower body fluidity to keep himself clean through a crowd and finishes at the ball, wrapping and driving through his target. He is very smart and keeps his eyes on the ball to track and attack and rarely makes mental mistakes, which is a result of his high football IQ and preparation skills. Isn’t always fundamentally consistent as a tackler, at times opting to throw himself at his target or drop his head on contact. Missed time in 2011 with a dislocated elbow.

Video:

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Video Analysis:

• This was an all-time classic college football game and Mosley rose to the moment.  He had a season high 10 solo tackles in this game despite the Alabama loss.
• Auburn runs a lot of the read option and play a similar style offense to what the 49ers run. Mosley played well and gave good chase to  Marshall.
• Look at the hit around 3:40.  A very violent but very clean collision.  Mosley is a hammer.
• Mosley was very sound as a tackler in this game.  Good wrap up and driving his target to the ground.
• He has a nose for the ball.  Wherever the tackle is happening, Mosley is usually nearby. Very good football instincts.
• Strong burst out of the gate.  Shoots his gaps VERY quickly.

If drafted by the Packers:

Inside linebacker is a definite need for the Packers. While A.J. Hawk had his best season as a pro in 2013, he was far from the impact player Green Bay needs at the position.  With injuries taking a toll at linebacker, the Packers saw a variety of players line up opposite Hawk.  Jamari Lattimore showed some potential but he is nowhere near as developed as Mosley would be on day one.  Desmond Bishop was probably the best inside linebacker Green Bay has had since they moved to a 3-4, and Mosley shows similar instincts.  He would bring tremendous speed and power to the position and his strong tackling ability would be a tremendous asset to a defense that seems to lack fundamentals at times. The injury/longevity concerns are valid and are a big reason in why Mosley could go from an easy top 15 to pick to potentially sliding down to the Packers at the 21st spot or maybe even out of round one altogether.  If he’s there, the Packers should strongly consider him.  How Mosley’s meetings go with teams’ medical staffs will be critical to where he lands.

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Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com. Follow @KrisLBurke

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