DFF Draft Coverage: Rondale Moore to the Cardinals

Rondale Moore | Purdue                5’7” 181 lbs.                      6/9/2000 (Age 20)

Rondale Moore was drafted 49th overall by the Arizona Cardinals, becoming the 7th wide receiver drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.

College Production

Rondale Moore broke out as a true freshman in a huge way in 2018. He compiled an FBS-leading 114 receptions in 2018, exceeding 1,200 yards and scoring 12 receiving TDs. He also added 21 carries for 213 rushing yards and two more rushing TDs. Moore even returned punts (12) and kicks (33). That season, he won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile college football player. He was a consensus first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, first-team all-conference pick, the Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year, and its Freshman of the Year.

Moore produced in the first four games of the 2019 season (29 receptions, 387 yards, 13.3 average, two TDs) before a hamstring injury cut short his season. In 2020 he originally opted out, but later chose to play when the BIG10 announced they would play an abridged fall season. In just three games he recorded 35 receptions for 270 receiving yards and added six carries for 32 yards and a rushing TD. 

Rondale Moore is the only receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft that is faster than Jaylen Waddle. He combines all-world speed with smooth acceleration, effortless transition in and out of cuts, and abrupt, sudden moves that can make the best NFL defenders look foolish. Moore reads the field well and is a YAC monster, capable of creating yards after contact like a running back would. 

While Moore comes standard with all the assets we love in a fantasy WR, his size is a legitimate concern. Moore, like Jaylen Waddle, compares favorably to Tyreek Hill. However, Rondale has not shown the contested catch and jump-ball abilities as an outside receiver that Hill possesses. The majority of his routes run from outside are in-breaking and crossing routes and he has little game film showing the ability to win deep on the outside. This may relegate him to primarily slot, wing, and backfield roles at the next level.   

Still, there is no denying that Moore is one of the most exciting players in the nation with the ball in his hands. Even if he catches the majority of his passes near the line of scrimmage at the next level, he is still a home run threat each and every play, which keeps opposing defenses on edge. Moore made it look easy against several of the best defenses college football had to offer over the past few seasons.

Athletic Testing

Rondale Moore ran an unofficial 4.29 40-yard dash and jumped 42.5″ inches in the vertical, helping him earn a 99 athleticism score according to the NGS draft model. He measured in at 5’7” and 181 lbs., with just 28¼” arms and 8¾” hands. Clearly, his lack of height and length will knock him down to the draft board. While his BMI of 28.66 slots him cleanly centered between the RB and WR averages, his 24 reps on the bench press are very impressive. 

Draft Analysis

Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great

Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Average

Smith was selected with the 49th pick by the Arizona Cardinals. He should contend with new teammate Christian Kirk for slot duties, who has also shown to be competent as an outside WR. Moore will immediately take over return duties in the punting and kicking game and can be expected to receive a few gadget carries and screens as well. While it may take a season before we see big production, keep in mind that Kirk is in the final year of his rookie deal. This selection shows that head coach Kliff Kingsbury wants to see his all-star QB have fewer rushing attempts. 

Fantasy Insights

Again, similar to Jaylen Waddle or Tyreek Hill, Rondale Moore has speed that creates a match-up nightmare. Moore’s speed, elusiveness, and ability after the catch allow him to do things that few people on this Earth can. He should immediately be a high-volume weapon on an NFL offense and could see 8-10 touches a game right out of the gate. He will fill the slot and gadget role for a team looking to put the ball in his hands quickly and let him create yardage. 

This makes Moore a nice option for fantasy leagues, and while his draft capital and size may scare some fantasy owners off, the savvy owners know the value of a reliable slot WR that is a threat to take it the distance on each play. While you may have to be patient in 2021, your author suggests he be one of the third or fourth WR taken in dynasty rookie drafts. He should be a late first-round to early second-round pick in SF leagues and an early-mid first-round pick in 1QB leagues. Moore also offers value in the return game, for owners whose leagues provide points for return yardage and return TDs. 

Thank you for checking out DFF’s 2021 NFL Draft Coverage! Stay tuned as we break down every fantasy-relevant pick during the draft. Please consider our yearly DFF subscription, so we can continue to deliver top-notch analysis and fantasy breakdowns. 

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