Rookie SWOT: Chris Moore
Name: Chris Moore
Born: June 16, 1993 (Age 23)
Position: Wide receiver
Pro Team: Baltimore Ravens
College Team: Cincinnati Bearcats
Draft Status: Fourth round, 107th overall
Combine Review
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 209
- Hand Size: 9 3/8”
- 40 Time: 4.53
- Bench Press: 10 reps
- Vertical Jump: 37”
- Broad Jump: 130”
- Short Shuttle: 4.20
- 3 Cone Drill: 6.76
Video Clip
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Strengths
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- Very good at tracking deep balls and at the point of the catch
- Catch radius larger than measurements would indicate
- Good top-end speed
- Knack for finding open holes in zone coverage
- Good overall athleticism and size
Weaknesses
- A one trick pony
- Despite combine agility numbers, often looks very stiff and mechanical as a route runner
- Hands are inconsistent
- Lacks initial burst off the line
- Has build-up speed, limiting usefulness underneath
- Struggles mightily when pressed
Opportunities
The way the Ravens’ receiving group shakes out will be one of this fall’s best watches. They have the spectrum covered from aging, formerly elite (Steve Smith) to unheralded but productive (Kamar Aiken) to mysterious potential superstar (Breshad Perriman). Throw in a dash of career underachiever (Mike Wallace), a billion capable tight ends, multiple pass-catching running backs, and an offensive coordinator who throws it more often than Skip Bayless says something stupid, and you have training camp drama of the highest order.
At least initially, Moore will be a pretty significant underdog for anything more than a target or two per game, and even that may be a stretch. This offense is simply too overstuffed with more established players.
Threats
At 37 and off a pretty devastating injury for somebody half his age, Smith may be washed up. Even if he is, Moore still has a lot of competition. The biggest issue Moore will face is the fact Mike Wallace and Perriman both excel at the same thing he does. With Wallace having a ton more experience and polish and Perriman a significantly stronger draft pedigree, elite speed, better size, and far more suddenness, Moore has his work cut out for him.
Out of all the players I just mentioned, as counterintuitive as it may seem, Aiken probably has the safest role. He is by far the most reliable and consistent receiver on the roster and should garner the most targets this season regardless of Smith’s status.
Short-term Expectations
As you have probably guessed by now, I can’t see a way Moore is anything other than the fourth receiver on third-and-long or in late-game catchup mode. Even then he will require Smith to be on sidelines to see the field. Moore’s overall value in 2016 is next to nothing.
Long-term Expectations
I can see some value long-term, but I’m still having a very difficult time imagining Moore as anything other than a poor man’s Malcolm Floyd. There just isn’t enough on film to lead me to believe he will develop into a Torrey Smith, who has shown elite ability on slants to go with a much better than you think success rate on other routes (per Matt Harmon). If he can’t get to that level, the former Bearcat is just another Robert Meachem.
If 40 catch, 675 yard, four touchdown receivers are your jam, Moore could be your toast.
NFL Player Comparison
A less efficient Kenny Stills or, as I just said, a poor man’s Malcolm Floyd.
Rookie Draft Advice
Moore is currently sitting on the waiver wire in many (Most?) leagues. I’ve snatched him up in a couple places as the last player on my roster. Without his fourth round draft pedigree, I’d likely not have even done that. He is certainly ownable in most formats, but don’t let him become entrenched at the end of your bench if a better option comes along.
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