The 2020 NFL Draft process will be underway this weekend, but it may be without star Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses following an ACL tear.
While the 2020 NFL Draft is a long ways away from being a hot-topic among fans, the process is getting started this Saturday with the first big weekend of college football kicking off. Naturally, teams will begin doing their due diligence by scouting the most talented teams first. Alabama is the first team that comes to mind, but they are suffering from the loss of perhaps their most talented defensive player in linebacker Dylan Moses.
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Dylan Moses entered the 2020 NFL Draft process as the seemingly unanimous top linebacker prospect. Moses’ blend of speed and power, combined with his athleticism and build (6’3″ 235-lbs.), had us thinking he was a first round lock. His production through two seasons with the Crimson Tide is hard to overlook, as he recorded 86 tackles in 2018 to go along with 10.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Unfortunately, it was announced Wednesday August 28th that Moses tore his ACL and is subsequently out for the 2019 season. This comes not only as a big-blow to the 2020 NFL Draft class, but also to an Alabama football team that would rely on Moses’ leadership and talent to command their defense.
For a majority of NFL teams, and upgrade at the linebacker spot is always welcome. This is especially true for the Baltimore Ravens. While it remains to be seen whether or not Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young can replace C.J. Mosley, there’s no argument that Baltimore would willing turn down the upgrade and potential that Dylan Moses would give their reloading defense.
The Ravens defense will lean heavily on its secondary this year to mask their pass rush that took heavy blows this off-season. Matt Judon will have another successful 2019 season as the team’s primary edge rusher. Beyond him, the team will rely on guys like Pernell McPhee, Jaylon Ferguson, Tim Williams, and Tyus Bowser. If Mosley were still in the front-seven perhaps they could get away with an unproven pass rush. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
An increase in talent, let alone depth, at linebacker is needed, which is exactly what made Dylan Moses one of the hotter 2020 NFL Draft names linked to the Baltimore Ravens.
This news is very unfortunate for tons of parties, especially Moses. Still, for a perspective involving the Ravens, it’s a top-tier defensive prospect the team needed that may not be available for the 2020 NFL Draft. Even if he did decide to declare, Baltimore may not have even be able to use him until 2021 while he recovers from his knee injury. We hope the best for Dylan Moses in his recovery from a brutal injury.