WR Rondale Moore, Purdue** (5’7”, 180)
Background:
Burst onto the scene with a monster freshman season, posting 114-1,258-12 (11.0); also ran the ball 21-213-2. However, was limited to a total of just seven games over the two subsequent seasons, finishing with a combined 64-657-2 over those campaigns before declaring for the draft.
Positives:
Considered a weight-room warrior. Lined up both inside and outside at the college level (predominantly the former), although not usually on the line of scrimmage. The team clearly made an effort to get the ball into his hands in different ways – reverses, screens, hitches, etc. Good suddenness at the line. Able to vary his speeds to keep defenses off-guard as he works his way downfield. Fast enough to threaten down the seams and take advantage safeties sitting on the underneath routes. Capable of improvising when the play breaks down. Settles into soft spots underneath the defense to present easy throws. Able to work over the middle. Very creative, elusive player who can regularly make opponents miss in the open field. Doesn’t waste time getting upfield once he’s got the ball in his hands. Willing to get physical with opponents and throw down stiff-arms to gain additional yardage after the catch. Has extensive experience returning kicks and some experience returning punts, demonstrating good vision and the ability to weave through traffic for chunks. Pro day workout was excellent.
Negatives:
Measured in at just 5’7″ at his pro day, which may limit him to the slot. A lot of his production came on hitches, screens, and other manufactured touches underneath the coverage. Has the toughness to potentially mix things up with more physical receivers, but didn’t see him take a lot of snaps where he was lining up on the line of scrimmage and releasing against press. Route tree was fairly straightforward, using the shorter stuff to set up throws downfield. Saw some drops and double-catching on tape. Not the most aggressive when it comes to seeking out opponents as a stalk blocker. Missed most of his 2019 campaign with a lower-body injury and most of his 2020 season with a hamstring injury, so durability is a concern, especially given his physical style of play. Big plays as a returner can be offset by mistakes in judgment (see Nevada 2019).
Summary:
Essentially put together one outstanding campaign at the college level, then produced pretty well in limited time over the next two seasons. Projects as a slot receiver and return specialist who can use his agility and toughness to make plays with the ball in his hands and create yardage after the catch, but who will need to stay healthy, further develop his route tree, and prove he can win against press/man coverage.
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