Baltimore Ravens debates: Can the Ravens move on from C.J. Mosley?
Chris Schisler: The Ravens should try to re-sign him, but can get by without Mosley.
The Ravens can get by without Mosley for three key reasons. First, Patrick Onwuasor showed a lot of growth in the 2018 season. Secondly, Kenny Young may have more potential than Mosley. Finally, the Ravens are good at finding talent at linebacker. The Ravens are clearly a better team with Mosley in the middle of their defense. The question isn’t what should the Ravens do in a perfect world? In a perfect world, we’re not even having this discussion and Mosley is back with the Ravens with no questions asked. The question is what are the Ravens willing to pay Mosley, and what is the market for his services?
The Ravens don’t set the market, they set the price they’re comfortable with. If the player in question gets a deal elsewhere, then it’s better than going past the number that works for the team. This is the idea that has ruled the Ravens decision-making over the years and it’s not changing for Mosley. Mosley is a good player. He’s not the best at his position in the NFL and he’s not a generational type player.
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The Ravens have to set a number and stick with it. Paying Mosley $13 million per season would be a tough pill to swallow, and Mosley can probably get more than that on the open market. If the Ravens were willing to overpay, they would have just used the franchise tag. They can’t get so caught up in keeping Mosley that they forget the bigger picture, the welfare of the eventual 53 man roster.
The Ravens can get by without Mosley. Patrick Onwuasor isn’t the same player he was at the beginning of the 2018 season. He really developed into an aggressive downhill linebacker. Onwuasor can step up and be the leader of the defense. He’s been in Baltimore since 2016 and he’s worked himself up from being an undrafted free agent to a valuable play-maker for the defense. He’s not Mosley, but he’ll do if need be.
Onwuasor is proof that the Ravens can develop talent at the linebacker position. This should be encouraging for the fate of Kenny Young. Young has the athletic tools to be a sideline to sideline player. Mosley’s departure could advance the pace of Young’s development. Young, who has cover skills has off the charts potential. If the Ravens part with Mosley, it’s not like they have nothing in place at the interior linebacker positions. The Ravens are also good at reloading when it comes to finding defensive talent.