Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: First Round

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

CJ Mosley, Alabama, Linebacker – The Cincinnati Bengals select CJ Mosley with the 24th pick. Mosley fills a need/roll for the Cincinnati Bengals at the linebacker position. He will compete with James Harrison for playing time although it is more likely he will be used as the backup to Harrison but should Harrison retire the Bengals will be there to grab him.

With the 24th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals will draft CJ Mosley, Linebacker, Alabama. This will be the second Alabama player the Bengals have drafted in the last three years, Mosley will back up current Bengals linebacker James Harrison who is the current starter.

Mosley comes from Alabama where he collected two BCS National Championship rings as a member of the Tide. As a full-time starter in 2012 and 2013 Mosley was a shut down linebacker. Mosley is a tackling machine, dominating SEC offenses in the past two seasons as well as two National Championship games. In the 2011 National Championship Mosley did not play but LSU felt his impact as he intercepted LSU setting up an Alabama Drive.

In 2013 Mosley won the Dick Butkis award given out to the best line backer in the country. Cincinnati has an incredible defense, some would say their linebackers are their strongest area. But the aging James Harrison may not have a lot of playing time left in him. What better time than now to draft a replacement. Mosley would join Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, James Harrison, and Vincent Rey in the linebacking corps for the Bengals.

Hopefully when the Bengals pick comes around late in the first round Mosley will still be on the board. If Mosley is already gone look for the Bengals to pick another defensive back. Unless a quality quarterback has slid that far down the board, ex. Aaron Rodgers.