Traded straight up for Desmond Ridder last March, Rondale Moore suffered a season-ending injury that kept him from playing a down as a Falcon. Now out of contract, the former Cardinals slot receiver is generating considerable interest despite his recent setback.
The Vikings brought in the young slot target for a visit last week, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets; that was the first stop on a Moore tour. The Bears then met with the former second-round pick, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, while ESPN’s Field Yates indicates the Jets huddled up with Moore on Tuesday. A Titans-Moore summit is on tap today, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.
This is a rather interesting market, as Moore went down early during Falcons training camp last year. While that timing did provide an extended rehab period, Moore missing a full season could have diminished him on a market that still includes Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen and Tyler Lockett. Though, the veteran wing of the receiver market does not stand to impact Moore. A slot weapon and gadget presence, the 24-year-old WR is looking to rebound after the Cardinals bailed on him. The Purdue alum did bring some intrigue while in Arizona, as teams are lining up to determine a fit.
At just 5-foot-7, Moore presents limitations but operated as a Cardinals supporting-caster for Kyler Murray (and others) during his rookie contract. Drafted to play in Kliff Kingsbury‘s spread attack, Moore caught 54 passes for 435 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. During a 2022 season in which Murray went down in early December, Moore posted a 41/414/1 line. Current Cardinals OC Drew Petzing used Moore as a runner extensively, and he posted 178 rushing yards (on 28 carries) to go with 40 catches for 352 through the air in 2023. The Cards still used Moore as a trade chip to acquire a passer they eventually cut before Week 1.
Allen has shown interest in returning to the Bears, and they have already added slot option Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency. With Jalen Nailor supplementing Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Minnesota has a crowded receiving situation as well. The Jets signed Tyler Johnson as a supplementary option, but their receiving corps has questions post-Davante Adams. Moore would not exactly answer them, but he would provide some Garrett Wilson support. The Titans have not re-signed Tyler Boyd, though they did add five-year vet Van Jefferson as a potential Calvin Ridley sidekick.
The Bears also worked out Mecole Hardman previously, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero adds (h/t Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams). Hardman has since signed with the Packers. Chicago GM Ryan Poles was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Hardman in the 2019 second round.
Seems like he’d be a great addition for the Bears. Assuming he’s over his knee issues. Bears need speed in the slot to make Johnson’s offense go. Even to sign him on the rebound might take restructuring some other contracts but I expect them to do that anyway because they didn’t hold back and spent big. Allen isn’t coming back here. Not only is he not the speed guy they need anymore he’s too expensive for them now. I’m getting the feeling that Jeanty will be gone by 10 and Poles will take Mykel Williams at 10. I know Poles loves him and has scouted him personally just about every game he plays. O Line-D Line either way is cool I guess. But I’d rather go O line and build that unit up first and make it young and deep.
I’ll always hold out some hope for Moore because of how incredibly electric he was as a freshman, but between his size and the injuries, it’s hard to count on too much. I’d love to see some creative play-caller carve out the right role for him and for him to stay healthy enough to excel. For the Jets, it seems like Moore’s ideal role should go to Malachi Corley, though.
I’m not sure what they’re getting Zacheus. I’ve heard he’s pretty good but not sure how fast he is. Bears need someone who can get deep fast like Jameson Williams of Detroit, Without all the legal drama. Bears have been connected to a WR in the 7th round but I see he’s small and mostly a return guy, Which they also need by the way. Might be better to double down on the position because Tyler Scott isn’t panning out. They need someone to keep the safeties occupied to give Moore, Rome and Kmet room.
Zaccheus is a nice role player with some dog in him, but he’s not your guy for deep speed. Tyler Scott would be the best fit for that currently on the Bears roster. Maybe Johnson can unlock him. He was a little raw entering the league because he was a running back convert and he’s not even 24 yet. Not that I would count on him. I wouldn’t pay any mind to anyone being “connected” to any team in the 7th round. That’s completely unknowable right now. But there are some shifty speed guys in the draft.
Nah I’m not counting on any one guy like that late in the draft. But I’m sure there will either be 1) Guys like that late in the draft or 2) Even guys like that that are UDFA’s. But they need a guy like that as the guys they had for that last year were mostly lame.
Moore is a seriously talented player who got injured at the absolute worst time for his stock.
He’s still by far the most dynamic gadget WR in years though. He’d be perfect for Caleb Williams but at the same time it doesn’t make much sense when they already have Swift.
I really wanted to see him play in Atlanta I’m so bummed
He would be a good pick for the bears, chargers, Seattle. Worth a flyer for a guy you can scheme up and shouldn’t cost much on a 1 year deal.
Injuries and OCs hurt his stock. He was a Boilermaker Beast. I wish him nothing but the best