C.J. Mosley grew up Ravens, Ray Lewis fan

The Ravens are getting a longtime fan on their roster this year.

Former Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley was taken by the Ravens with the 17th overall pick. It's clear the Ravens wanted to address the long-term issue at the position, given the Ravens already have Daryl Smith, Arthur Brown and Josh Bynes on the roster.

Mosley should come in and immediately compete for a starting spot at the Will inside linebacker position, with Smith manning the Mike spot. The selection doesn't bode well for Brown, who was selected in the second round a season ago.

But the Ravens are getting a guy that has some attachment to the franchise, as he grew up a fan due to his days as a child watching Ray Lewis play the position. Consider it an intangible as Mosley looks to begin the next step of his career for a team he grew up admiring.

"Growing up, I was a Ravens fan because of Ray Lewis, my favorite linebacker," Mosley told reporters on a conference call shortly after he was selected. "I got to meet him, actually, this past summer going into my senior year, and he gave me a lot of insight. So, I'm just excited to add on to the tradition of bringing some Alabama players [to Baltimore]. And I also feel like I can bring a lot of versatility as far as being a cover linebacker and a run-stopping linebacker and just try to make plays and help the team win."