Did Ravens or Steelers get the better LB?

[SteelCrazy]

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers took an old-school approach in this year's draft, taking a highly rated linebacker in the first round.

The Steelers selected Ohio State's Ryan Shazier with the No. 15 overall pick. Shazier was the only player in the FBS with 20 tackles for loss and 100 total tackles (he had 22.5 TFL and 143 tackles), according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Two picks later, the Ravens went with Alabama's C.J. Mosley. He recorded over 100 tackles in back-to-back seasons and was Alabama's leading tackler in eight of 13 games last season.

So, which AFC North rival got the better linebacker? I let two of my ESPN colleagues decide.

Matt Williamson, NFL Insider: "I think Mosley is safer assuming he stays healthy, but Shazier is really dynamic. Super tough call and I see both fitting their respective schemes well and being fine picks, but I think Mosley is the slightly better player."

Steve Muench, draft analyst: "Mosley is the better fit because of the scheme he played in at Alabama, but I have no doubt Shazier can excel in Steelers' scheme and I think both will make early impacts. Shazier has higher ceiling. At end of day, both are great picks in my opinion."

The last time the Ravens and Steelers addressed the same position in the first round was 2000, when they both drafted wide receivers. The Steelers selected Plaxico Burress at No. 8, and the Ravens went with Travis Taylor at No. 10. Pittsburgh obviously got the better pass catcher that year.

[url]http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/9916/did-ravens-or-steelers-get-the-better-lb[/url]

[Shawn]

I think both these guys are right on the money. You give the edge to Mosley now, but Shazier has the higher ceiling.

[RuthlessBurgher]

It's intresting that we both also went d-line in round 2 with Tuitt and Jernigan.

And how you can make the exact opposite scouting report in round 2 vs. round 1.

Among the round 1 LB's, Mosley is the more NFL ready prospect right now if healthy, but Shazier has the higher ceiling.

Among the round 2 DL's, Tuitt is the more NFL ready prospect right now if healthy, but Jernigan has the higher ceiling.

[papillon]

It's intresting that we both also went d-line in round 2 with Tuitt and Jernigan.

And how you can make the exact opposite scouting report in round 2 vs. round 1.

Among the round 1 LB's, Mosley is the more NFL ready prospect right now if healthy, but Shazier has the higher ceiling.

Among the round 2 DL's, Tuitt is the more NFL ready prospect right now if healthy, but Jernigan has the higher ceiling.

Maybe what happened is that the Steelers drafted the higher ceiling guy in the first, and then decided in the 2nd round that they would take the more NFL ready player, so that, hopefully, they get one draftee on the field and producing right away while the other starts to become the play maker for which they are hoping.

And, since, the Ravens were in the market for the same positions they took the player that the Steelers didn't. So, they get the NFL ready player in the 1st and the higher ceiling guy in the 2nd.

Pappy

[hawaiiansteel]

the Steelers had a choice between the 2 LBers and obviously believed Shazier to be the better LB for what we were looking for...

[chiken]

I think its going to come down to who will be better on 3rd down.. Who can cover someone coming out of the backfield better.. Mosley has Larry Foot speed.

[Shawn]

Mosley is known for his ability to cover...Shazier is not.

[pfelix73]

Maybe we should let a few years go by to determine which one was the better pick..

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Mosley is known for his ability to cover...Shazier is not.

people often mistake "speed" for "ability to cover"... there have been many 4.3 cb's who couldn't find the field in the NFL.

I think the guys both said what I've thought. Shazier has a higher ceiling, but, having a higher ceiling doesn't not always mean a player reaches that ceiling. Ceilings are often attributed to physical attributes. How many players had higher ceilings than Hines Ward, per scouting reports... I would imagine somewhere close to 90% of the WRs drafted in the first 2 rounds since his draft day back in the 90's, due to speed/height. Not many surpassed him.

I've always been a fan of a guy who is seen as "a football player", regardless of his physical attributes. For example, would love to have gotten Chris Borland (obviously, his 3rd round selection didn't allow the Steelers to grab him, but, I think he's a baller).

Martavius Bryant in the 4th as a high ceiling/moderate risk guy, that's a good pick. Makes sense with mid-to-late rounders. Ike Taylor comes to mind as one that has paid huge dividends. IIRC, he had only played CB for a year or two, but, had 4.3 speed. As a 5th or 6th rounder, he was a perfect gamble.

I'll admit i'm VERY uncomfortable with a high ceiling/moderate risk guy as a first rounder. Shawn, as you've probably seen me say, I didn't watch an OSU game this year. HOWEVER, I did watch the youtube clip posted here last week and Shazier looked TERRIBLE. I'm askeeered.

[sick beats]

One thing I can say about the two different drafting philosophies: Ozzie says he takes the "double" (as in baseball reference) every time, while Pgh tries for more home runs. I think the drafting of the 1st round LBs illustrate this perfectly. Shazier has the better chance of being extraordinary, while Mosley is the safer pick to be a solid NFL player. Both philosophies can be successful; there is more than 1 way to skin a cat, so they say.

[ikestops85]

I have a feeling Shazier and Mosley will be forever linked in the minds of Steeler fans ... just like Jarvis Jones and Mingo will be linked in the minds of Cleveland fans. The fans of the guy with the higher ceiling will always wonder and compare to the guy who figures to be a better player as a rookie.

[NorthCoast]

I have a feeling Shazier and Mosley will be forever linked in the minds of Steeler fans ... just like Jarvis Jones and Mingo will be linked in the minds of Cleveland fans. The fans of the guy with the higher ceiling will always wonder and compare to the guy who figures to be a better player as a rookie.

Just as Bernard and Bell will be compared from 2013 draft.

Total yds from scrimmage:
Bell= 1259
Bernard = 1209

[hawaiiansteel]

Just as Bernard and Bell will be compared from 2013 draft.

I think it's actually Bell and Eddie Lacy who will forever be compared by Steelers fans...

[NorthCoast]

I think it's actually Bell and Eddie Lacy who will forever be compared by Steelers fans...

Fair enough:
Yds from scrimmage:
Eddy Lacy=1435

[pittpete]

We needed to get a lot faster on D and with the Shazier pick we got exactly that.