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          NFL Nation

          C.J. Mosley finishes second for NFL Defensive Rookie of Year

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterJan 31, 2015, 09:35 PM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley led all NFL rookies in tackles. He was the only one to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month twice this year. And he was the first Ravens rookie to reach the Pro Bowl.

          Despite all of those accolades, Mosley fell short in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, finishing second to St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The award, which is handed out by the Associated Press, is voted upon by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league.

          Mosley received 18 votes, which were seven short of Donald (25 votes). The only other rookies to receive votes were Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack (six votes) and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland (one).

          The 13th overall pick, Donald had 37 tackles, nine assists, and led all rookies with nine sacks. He and Mosley were the only defensive rookies to make the Pro Bowl this season.

          Mosley, the No. 17 pick in last year's draft, was looking to become the third Ravens' rookie to win this award, joining Peter Boulware (1997) and Terrell Suggs (2003). He was the only NFL player this season with at least 125 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions.