Charles Davis Likes C.J. Mosley to the Vikings
By Ben Gotz
Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
About ten names have been reported as visiting Winter Park recently, likely for the Vikings annual “Top 30” event, and looking at the names it became pretty clear the Vikings are looking at linebackers.
Charles Davis, an analyst at NFL Network, liked the fit with the Vikings when asked about one specific linebacker prospect in particular.
“Let’s say [the Vikings] didn’t take a quarterback at No. 8,” Davis said. “C.J. Mosley from Alabama would be a perfect fit there.”
Mosley doesn’t seem to get discussed as much as other top linebacker prospects like Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr, so his stock is harder to pin down. NFL Network analyst and former scout Daniel Jeremiah believes Mosley is worth of a top ten pick.
“I think that works out pretty well,” Davis said. “Jasper Brinkley is coming back to Minnesota but he’s not solidified there at middle linebacker.”
It’s no secret that the Vikings need to upgrade their linebacking corps this year, because Mike Zimmer needs better personnel at the second level of his defense. Mosley would be an intriguing fit because of his versatility. While he played inside linebacker in college he could move to the weakside position as well.
In his senior season, Mosley totaled 108 tackles, with no sacks, interceptions or forced turnovers. Mosley was actually quite productive as a blitzer, which his stats do not reflect, but he dropped several interceptions during his senior season.
If Mosley ever wants to be a Pro Bowler, he will have to learn to pick up his turnover rates. Mosley was often in the right place at the right time thanks to his instincts and play recognition ability, he just didn’t finish the play.
Mosley is 6-feet-2-inches and 234 pounds, and ran the 40 yard dash in 4.63 seconds at his pro day. With his combination of speed and instincts, Mosley had sideline-to-sideline potential at the next level.
The only thing that could be keeping him from that potential is his knee, which has some scouts concerned. Alabama players are known to enter the NFL with a little more wear-and-tear on their bodies, and Mosley is trying to prove to teams that he’s different.
What do you think Vikings fans? Would you love to see the 2013 Dick Butkus Award winner manning the middle for the Vikings? Or is pick No. 8 too rich for him? Sound off in the comments below or on Twitter @Goatman102!