Green Bay Packers: 3 Potential Linebacker Prospects for 2021 NFL Draft
By Isaac Greig
Dylan Moses – Alabama, Junior (redshirt)
Dylan Moses is very much on the radar of the scouting community, and he has been since he was offered a scholarship at 12-years old. During the 2019 preseason, some media outlets projected Dylan Moses to the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, Moses tore his ACL during preseason practice and was forced to sit the entire year.
When looking back on his 2018 season, the first thing that sticks out on Moses’ tape is his skill as a pass-rusher. He displays great hand technique and an array of moves. He bursts off the line of scrimmage and converts speed to power like a pro. He has a solid bull-rush and inside counters. Built like a pass-rusher with long arms, a 6’ 3” 235-pound frame, and off the charts athleticism, it’s no surprise Bama lets Moses loose off the edge as often as they do.
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Against the run, Moses is great at eating contact and disengaging from blockers, where that hand technique comes into play again. He’s a solid tackler and really shines when he’s asked to play in space. His sideline to sideline mobility is second only to Micah Parsons, but Moses is not the traditional downhill thumper making plays around the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t have the instinct for that yet, which can neutralize his athleticism.
Where Moses really struggles is in coverage. He has the length and athleticism to stick with NFL tight ends and running backs, but he’s far too grabby downfield. In zone coverage, Moses is easily manipulated by the eyes of the quarterback and doesn’t have much of a feel for the underneath zone. Even with his athleticism, he still doesn’t get to the spot quickly enough. There’s much work to be done on Moses’ coverage game.
However, that was the 2018 Dylan Moses. The 2020 season will tell us all we need to know about him. If he learns to process the game quicker, he’ll be a solid Will or Sam backer with serious value as a pass-rusher.
The foursome of Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Za’Darius Smith are already solid at pressuring the quarterback, but the addition of Moses would make this Packers pass-rushing unit one of the most dangerous in the league. If he shows up an improved player in 2020, Dylan Moses will be high on the Green Bay Packers’ big board for next year’s draft.