Steelers Claim Freakily Athletic LB Off Waivers from Ravens

Originally appeared at Steelers Now: Steelers Claim Freakily Athletic LB Off Waivers from Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers have claimed inside linebacker Jeremiah Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens, according to the NFL transactions report for Friday.

Moon was waived by the Ravens on Thursday to make room for the return of tight end Mark Andrews from the injured reserve list. Because the Steelers have been eliminated from the playoffs, the move will not be official until after the Super Bowl.

Moon joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker is a native of Hoover, Alabama — the same hometown of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. 

Moon played with the Ravens in the preseason in 2022, but was released and added to practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season without being elevated for a game. He was signed to a future contract for 2023, and again played in the preseason, was released and added to the practice squad.

This year, Moon was promoted back to the active roster on Sept. 23. He was active for four games, starting one and playing on both defense and special teams. Moon was waived on Oct. 26 and returned to the practice squad, but was brought back to the active roster on Jan. 6.

In total, he played in eight games and recorded 12 tackles, one for a loss and forced two fumbles while serving as depth behind starters Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen and 2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson.

Moon is 25 years old, having spent six years with the Gators. After redshirting due to injury in 2016, he was a part-time starter in 2017 and 2018. Moved to defensive line in2 2019, starting eight games before another season-ending injury. He played only four games in a COVID-19-shortened 2020 before returning to linebacker in 2021.

That was his best season statistically, as he racked up 49 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

Moon tested off the charts for a linebacker in the pre-draft process. Despite being one of the tallest and heaviest linebackers in his class, he posted elite vertical (40.5 inches) and broad jumps (11-foot-1) and a more than fast enough 4.76-second 40-yard dash. Overall, he had a 9.22 Relative Athletic Score.

The Steelers will likely try Moon alongside Mark Robinson as they attempt to build a new generation of linebackers in 2024 and beyond. Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb are currently set to return as starters for 2024.