Having looked at each of the Jets’ draft picks in detail, we’ve now moved on to discuss each of their undrafted free agent signings. We continue today with a breakdown of Alabama linebacker Jamey Mosley.

The 23-year old is listed at 6’5” and 239 pounds is best known for being the brother of recent Jets signing CJ Mosley. He didn’t play much at Alabama, ending his career with 21 tackles, two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and two passes defensed.

Background

Mosley had some scholarship offers coming out of high school, but opted to attend Alabama instead, despite the fact this meant he was unlikely to get as much playing time.

He didn’t play at all in his first two years but was awarded a scholarship based on his hard work behind the scenes. Even so, he only played 10 defensive snaps in his redshirt sophomore season, but his role increased over the next few years.

In 2017, Mosley was a good rotational contributor, making three starts and seeing some decent playing time due to injuries. His playing time fell off a little in 2018, as there were fewer injuries ahead of him, so most of his reps came in garbage time.

Mosley was not invited to the scouting combine and did not expect to get drafted, but had a decent showing at his pro day and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jets after the draft.

Now let’s take a look at what Mosley brings to the table, divided into categories.

Measurables/Athleticism

Mosley was just a 195-pound walk-on when he arrived at Alabama, so he had to bulk up considerably to contribute. Even so, he’s still undersized if the Jets plan to keep him in an edge rusher role. He has decent height and length though.

At his pro day, Mosley was clocked at around 4.7 in the 40-yard dash and had a 32-inch vertical, 118-inch broad jump and 18 bench press reps. The bench press was below average but the rest of the numbers are solid.

Usage

Mosley was employed primarily as an edge defender at Alabama. While he played with his hand in the dirt, most of his reps were as a stand-up linebacker. He also played a few snaps as an off-ball linebacker or matched up in the slot.

In high school, Mosley was a linebacker, but also played quarterback on offense.

Motor

Mosley brings some energy off the bench. He works hard, recording this sack through pure effort.

He only played just over 300 snaps at Alabama so never really had to handle a starter’s workload but did play 41 snaps against Colorado State in 2017.

Pass rush

Mosley’s pass rush numbers are not particularly impressive, as he only had a couple of sacks and averaged less than one pressure every 10 rush attempts.

That’s partly because he was often employed in a containment role, with the primary goal being to keep the quarterback in the pocket rather than put him under pressure as was the case on this play.

When given the opportunity to try to beat his man, Mosley is more likely to have success with quickness rather than power. He uses a quick inside move here.

Mosley tried to bull rush at times and sometimes got his man back on his heels, but lacks the size and power to have much success doing this.

Run defense

Since a lot of his playing time came with Alabama leading comfortably, Mosley didn’t get as many chances to display his abilities against the run as he otherwise might have. His quickness can be an asset in these situations.

As you might expect, his lack of size can be an issue against the run. On this play, he gets controlled at the point of attack, enabling an off-tackle run to go for a big gain.

In his efforts to shoot gaps with his quickness, he can make it easy for offensive linemen to use his momentum to redirect him, as is the case on this play.

Technique

As a pass rusher, Mosley displays some good technique to keep his blocker’s hands off him, flashing some violent hand work.

He hasn’t been able to showcase a variety of pass rush moves and will need to refine that skill-set if he remains in an edge rusher role. His best move is probably an arm-over move.

Tackling

Mosley wasn’t a particularly productive tackler, averaging less than one per game, although he also didn’t have many missed tackles. Here was one, on a play where he could have added another sack.

Coverage

Mosley has had limited experience of dropping into coverage and shows the capability to transition from assignment to assignment in zone coverage. He makes a good play to pick up the tight end and make the stop on this play.

He was credited with two passes defensed over the past two seasons, both of which came on passes he batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Instincts/Intelligence

Mosley cites his football IQ as one of his best attributes, as he reacts well against the run and in coverage and keeps his head up when rushing the passer. He also displays good gap discipline and prides himself on knowing everyone’s role.

There were, however, a few examples on film of him misreading an option hand-off and going after the wrong player. Also, on this play, he was caught unaware by the block coming from his blindside.

Off the field, Mosley has displayed his intelligence by being part of the National Honor Roll in high school. He also completed his degree before his redshirt senior season and began working towards a masters degree.

Special teams

Mosley didn’t contribute much on special teams and didn’t record any tackles in limited work on the coverage units. As a blocker, he had one penalty, on this play.

Attitude/Demeanor

Mosley is, by all accounts, another player with outstanding character. He was presented with the Pat Trammel award at Alabama, which recognizes integrity, character, leadership and academic achievements.

Coach Nick Saban made a point of saying that when Mosley received his scholarship he had earned it with his hard work and effort behind the scenes despite not seeing the field in his first two seasons.

He’s been disciplined on the field, with no defensive penalties during his Alabama career.

Injuries

Mosley’s position on the depth chart may have been influenced by some injuries, although he didn’t miss much time. He had a separated shoulder prior to the 2018 season, having already had a surgery for an undisclosed injury during the offseason.

Mosley missed one game due to illness in 2017, having had a minor foot surgery prior to the season.

Scheme Fit

The main concern for Mosley is what role the Jets will use him in. Their official website lists him as a linebacker, which might foreshadow a position change from the edge defender role he had with the Crimson Tide, because he may not be big enough to handle that role in the pros.

Conclusions

It’s easy to classify a move like this as being driven by the desire to make CJ Mosley as comfortable as possible with his new team and that’s almost certainly a factor. However, the younger Mosley seems to have an outstanding attitude, which is common among the rookies the Jets have brought in this offseason.

While Mosley didn’t have a dominant college career, he was obviously sitting behind some elite prospects on Alabama’s depth chart. Had he gone to a smaller school, he’d have played more and had a chance to put more on film, but perhaps wouldn’t have received the same level of coaching or had a chance to play against such good players every day in practice.

Of course Mosley is a major longshot and if the team opts to retain him on their practice squad it will probably have more to do with appeasing his older brother than his own abilities. However, there could be some untapped potential there, so you can never fully rule out the Jets being able to turn him into something.