One of the top Guards in the NFL. Pro Bowler in his rookie season.

Slauson was NOT scrap heap.

He signed a 1 year non-guaranteed deal during the prime of his career.

He signed a 1 year non-guaranteed deal during the prime of his career.

Baltimore Ravens LB C.J. Mosley A Lock For 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

When the Baltimore Ravens lost legendary linebacker Ray Lewis to retirement after winning the Super Bowl in 2013, many were uncertain as to where future leadership and production would come from. The ensuing season saw aging linebacker Terrell Suggs’ production dip slightly while newly acquired linebacker Daryl Smith shined in a career season, leading the Ravens with 123 tackles. However, many didn’t see Smith as the long-term answer. Enter rookie C.J. Mosley, the next great Ravens linebacker.

The 2014 NFL Draft first-round pick has exploded onto the scene, not only leading Baltimore in tackles, but currently ranking fifth in the NFL with a total of 57. Mosley has managed to stand out in the middle of a star-studded linebacking corps that includes former Pro Bowl selections Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Fans fell in love with the Alabama product in just his second game, a winning performance against Baltimore’s bitter rival Pittsburgh Steelers, where Mosley recorded 10 tackles and recovered his own forced fumble.

Mosley’s most notable performance came in a road loss to the Indianapolis Colts where he notched 15 tackles and the first interception of his career. Even though the Ravens didn’t earn a desirable result, it was impossible to miss Mosley’s impact on the game. He has proven to be the best player on one of the NFL’s top defenses and has the statistics to back his performance, leading the Ravens in tackles in every game since Week 2.

Sure, Chicago Bears defensive back Kyle Fuller and Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown aren’t going to roll over and hand Mosley the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Fuller and Brown both got off to hot starts, but neither will be able to sustain their pace the way Mosley will. His role as the centerpiece of the Ravens’ defense will continue to grow, and he is on pace to finish with around 160 tackles, a number that would have been good for a top-five finish last year.

Mosley has even proven be outstanding in pass coverage this season. Despite being a linebacker, his six passes defended rank second amongst rookies. The only reasonable criticism of Mosley thus far is his failure to record a sack through Week 6, but those stats appear to be coming after he just missed on three hits on Mike Glennon this week.

There is little uncertainty that the Ravens have found their next great linebacker. The torch has been passed and Mosley will pick up right where Lewis left off, beginning with winning the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Brenden McLaughlin is a Baltimore Ravens writer for Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b_maction or add him to your network on Google.

I predict that Thanksgiving will be Fuller's national coming out party (even though he already impressed in front of the bright lights of SNF and MNF).

Rough day for CHI RT @JasonLaCanfora More bad news for the Bears: stud rookie CB Kyle Fuller broke his hand and suffered a hip pointer today

Very prescient.

Shitty development