Rondale Moore Should Be a Versatile Playmaker for Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals added receiver Rondale Moore with the 49th overall pick in Friday's second round.
Moore burst onto the scene his freshman year at Purdue, amassing 1,258 receiving yards, 213 rushing yards and 14 total scores (12 receiving) in 2018. That gave him a sparkling 99th percentile breakout age, per PlayerProfiler.
But due to injuries, Moore -- who is 5-foot-7 -- played just seven more games across his final two seasons before going HAM at his pro day, running a 4.29 40-yard dash while ranking in at least the 94th percentile in both speed score and agility score.
What does Moore bring to the Cards, and how will he perform in 2021?
Player Comparisons
numberFire's JJ Zachariason and Jim Sannes break down Moore's profile, and JJ gives his top comparison.
"He has one of the weirdest profiles analytically" @LateRoundQB examines Rondale Moore's game as he heads to the Cardinals at No. 49 overall #RedSea | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/nmHO77Rhwc
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) May 1, 2021
Brandon Gdula's draft database has found these 10 prior prospects to have the most similar statistical profiles to Moore. Keep in mind that these are based not on play style or traits but age, athleticism, draft equity, experience, efficiency, and production.
| Rondale Moore Profile Comparisons | Similarity |
|---|---|
| KJ Hamler | 92.9% |
| DeSean Jackson | 90.9% |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 88.7% |
| Jalen Saunders | 87.0% |
| Brandin Cooks | 86.8% |
| Jamison Crowder | 86.7% |
| Phillip Dorsett | 86.6% |
| Elijah Moore | 86.4% |
| TY Hilton | 86.4% |
| Steve Smith | 86.4% |
Gdula's Take: Rondale Moore is tiny (4th-percentile height and 7th-percentile weight), which shows in his comparisons but is in the 93rd-percentile or better in receiving market share and breakout age.
Moore's 2021 Fantasy Football Projection
Zachariason's initial projections for Moore include 60 grabs, 682 receiving yards and 4.1 scores, making him the PPR WR56 for the 17-game season. Moore will likely be used as a ball-carrier, too, and could also get extensive run on special teams.
Anyone who gets big-time snaps in Arizona's fantasy-friendly offense is someone we need to have on our radar. But with a receiver depth chart that contains DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk and A.J. Green, Moore may not be a high-snap player right out of the gates.
On FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cards are listed at +4000 to win the Super Bowl and +550 to take the loaded NFC West, and they have a win total projection of 8.5 -- with -162 on the under -- on FOX Bet.
