NAME: Dylan Moses
POSITION: Linebacker
SCHOOL: Alabama
HEIGHT: 6’3”
WEIGHT: 240 pounds
CAREER BACKGROUND
Dylan Moses originally attended University High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for his high school football career. In his final season there, he recorded 104 tackles and three sacks as a junior. Afterwards, Moses transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior year of high school. He would wind up winning the Butkus Award and was named the Parade Magazine National Player of the Year. Listed as a five-star recruit, Moses was rated as one of the top players at his position in his class. First, he originally committed to LSU. Les Miles was fired though, and that altered his decision. He opted to go to Alabama. Moses also had offers from Miami (FL), Texas and UCLA.
As a true freshman in 2017, he started two games and played in 11 games total for the Crimson Tide. Moses recorded a total of 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception. Subsequently, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Moses unfortunately missed the two College Football Playoff games with a broken foot. The 2018 season saw Moses start every game. He played both inside and outside at the linebacker position. Again a finalist for the Butkus Award, Moses also was named second team All-SEC and second team All-American in 2018.
2019 was a lost season for the linebacker. Moses suffered a season ending knee injury in fall camp, just before the start of the games. Upon his return, he led Alabama in tackles (80) in 2020. Moses also registered 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. Not only was he named first team All-SEC and third team All-American, but Moses was also healthy enough to be on the field for the National Championship victory over Ohio State.
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SCOUTING REPORT
Positives
Tackling
Consistently showing well formed tackles, Moses hardly misses ball carriers in one on one opportunities. He comes in low and with a solid pad level. Thus, many opposing players become hesitant when he comes their way. When he can track where the play is heading, Moses becomes a heat-seeking missile. He is a violent hitter when meeting the player toting the rock. Additionally, Moses finishes with authority and there becomes an increased chance that the ball could jar free.
Athleticism/Agility
Displaying encouraging speed in the open field, Moses can tout sideline to sideline range for a defense. He flows and pursuits to the football well. Not being too steep or too relaxed in the angles he takes, Moses can force opponents to dance. They start to use wasted movements and he and his teammates are able to end the play quickly. And that ability to chase down ball carriers from any area makes Moses so vital to the defense. He has proven that he can win reps while moving laterally. Elsewhere, the linebacker can scrape across blockers well and recover quickly.
Body Control
Yes, Moses has a ton of hitting power to mix with his speed. He still showed an ability to be patient and relaxed, at the same time. Using very little wasted movements, the Alabama product rarely put himself in a position where he could not make a play on the football. Moses can play an attacking role in the passing game, or as a gap controller in the run game. He also had the luxury of calling out commands and plays in the middle of the Crimson Tide defense. Add in the benefit of having playing time at all three linebacker positions, and Moses can provide some versatility to the defense. He has done well in any position during crucial situations, because Moses understands how to stick to his role and trust his confidence.
Negatives
Block Deconstruction
Moses has very little to offer as of now, in terms of moves to counter opposing blockers. Offensive linemen knew they could take him out of the play, once they latched on. Moses simply cannot sustain much combat. After throwing an initial push, he struggles with what to do next. Sometimes that push never comes. On the other hand, Moses attempts to spin off the block or run around blockers. This can lead to being too late to where the play is going. Or, the linebacker will begin to lose his balance and become a non-factor.
Pass Coverage
Moses is probably better in man coverage overall. However, the ability to stick with receivers down the field is hit or miss. He does okay if the route is short or near the line of scrimmage. But the longer the play takes, the greater chance that the receiver is able to gain separation against Moses. In zone coverage, he tends to focus solely on the quarterback too often. By keeping his eyes locked on the backfield or the passer, he is unable to see pass catchers working into the spots right around him. Moses will be a work in progress here, as he will need to improve his transitions in and out of chances to break up pass plays over the middle.
Processing Plays
Due to his ability to attack, he can sometimes be baited into coming upfield too urgently. Offenses with heavy mesh concepts, play action or RPO looks left him guessing. He tends to second guess himself. As a result, Moses can struggle with timing and getting to the point of attack. Coaches will have to work to get Moses to hone in on remaining patient. He gets to wandering and comes out of his gap or area. Moreover, he can be a bit slow with reacting to plays that are coming up the middle and right after him.
Chiefs Fit
Dylan Moses appears to fit what the Kansas City Chiefs are looking for in their linebackers. The instincts and versatility is all good and well. Though, having the ability to attack while under control and produce violent hitting power is not a luxury for Kansas City’s defense. Let’s be honest, Moses’ consistency of well formed tackles would easily allow him to become the most consistent tackler of the Chiefs’ linebackers. How often have we seen plays receive extra life after initial contact or tackle attempts? If anything, Moses could help fix a run defense that has been below average for multiple seasons. Finally, the Chiefs have been clear about wanting speed at linebacker. This player clearly has plenty of that.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs draft prospect profiles throughout the winter and spring. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
