The Pittsburgh Steelers Should Select C.J.Mosley in the 2014 NFL Draft
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 NFL Draft begins this Thursday, so it is time for me to give my opinion on who the Pittsburgh Steelers should take with their 15th overall selection. All offseason, I have been stuck on Mike Evans. Even before any talk had come out about the Steelers taking a tall wide receiver in this class, he was my choice. I had seen him tear it up in the SEC last season and especially against Alabama where he put up a monster performance. Now, his stock has risen to a point where the likelihood of him falling to the Steelers at number 15 is small, and I don’t think trading up is an option.
Therefore, with the 15th overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Steelers should select C.J. Mosley from the University of Alabama. Mosley has lots of experience, being a four year starter at Alabama. He is the field general the Pittsburgh Steelers need at the Will linebacker position alongside Lawrence Timmons.
Currently, all the Steelers have at that position is a bunch of question marks. I have seen Vince Williams described repeatedly as a “great two down player” which sounds like an oxymoron to me and translates to being a great backup. We want our linebackers to be three down players. How Sean Spence will fair after a major knee injury that has kept him out of action for almost two years is a mystery.
Mosley has great football intelligence, instincts, and leadership skills. He could come in and learn behind Vince Williams or Sean Spence for a year (because rookies never prosper in Dick LeBeau’s defense as all of Steeler Nation should remember from 2013 with Jarvis Jones), and be ready to become the starter by year two. He is a three down linebacker, that can play the run as well as cover on passing downs.
The biggest knock on C.J. has been his injury history, which is somewhat extensive, with a few shoulder, elbow, and hip injuries during his college career. However, he only missed three games in four years due to injury, two in the regular season and the 2012 BCS National Championship. His medical history is something team doctors have taken a look at by now and if they feel he is in good shape, the Steelers should pull the trigger on this pick.
While his injury history does worry me some, I feel cornerback and wide receiver should be selected in the next few rounds when the depth of this class at those positions will begin to show and the Steelers will be able to get better value picks. Zack Martin was another player I considered here, but the team has spent so many high draft picks on the offensive line the last few years it seems like overkill. With the talent on this line and Mike Munchak coming in to coach it, barring injuries it should shape up pretty well this season. Considering all of that, and Mosley’s abilities, he is the logical choice at number 15.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Would you like to see C.J. Mosley become part of another great Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker corps with Jarvis Jones, Lawrence Timmons, and Jason Worilds?