Rondale Moore stepped onto the college field as a true freshman and turned into a star. He put up over 1,200 receiving yards, and 213 yards in his first year at wide receiver with the Purdue Boilermakers. Unfortunately for him, a hamstring injury ended his sophomore season early. After a COVID-19 shortened junior year, Moore was never quite able to replicate that freshman campaign. Now, he enters the 2021 NFL draft flying a bit under the radar.
The college stats for Ronald Moore, the wide receiver from Purdue are below. According to PFF, he spends half of his snaps in the slot, and half out wide.
He participated in the Pro Day at Purdue recently. Below you can see the size and athletic numbers of Rondal Moore, and how he compares to other peers in his position.
Rondale Moore's 24 bench reps at WR bumps him up to the 4th highest #RAS for the class from sixth. pic.twitter.com/hzP207DQKu
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 24, 2021
Traits where Rondale Moore can succeed in the NFL
When you put the ball in his hands, good things happen. He is dynamic whether it comes from breakaway speed, sticking his foot in the ground for hard cuts and jukes, or even powering into defensive backs to grind out the extra yard or two.
Moore gives every inch, and when you say pound for pound the best athletes, he is what defines it as he does not play or test to his size. Rondale Moore is just as shifty as a route runner. His best routes come on option routes where he can plant his foot and cut way one or the other. He is so fast and twitchy when he plants and takes off, leaving corners with in his tracks.
At the worst, you have an offensive weapon.
Concerns with Rondale Moore in the NFL draft
At 5’7″, only Tarik Cohen and Isaiah McKenzie are notable NFL players at his height. Even giving him an extra inch adds just Ryan Switzer, Jamison Crowder, and Tavon Austin. There just are not many players his size thriving in the NFL.
He is great with the ball in his hands, but his size does not make him the same threat down the field. Some of it can be contributed to his quarterback play, but he is not a jump ball receiver due to his frame. For the most part, his route tree has to extend to 10 yards and in. With this profile, he is destined to be a slot WR in the NFL.
Of course, he already has some injury concerns, and as noted, it was back in 2018 when Moore had his best on-field performances.
NFL Comparison for Rondale Moore
Using his pro day numbers, we found a list of NFL players who had similar measurables. As noted, it is not long and plentiful with similar players. From a size and athletic perspective, he is similar to Dri Archer and Tavon Austin. We have seen Archer and Austin dominate the college ranks and struggle to make the transition? Can Moore be the one who breaks the mold?
Tarik Cohen is similar in size, but would not be the same in the role, although the Chicago Bears have played Cohen at slot sometimes. Still, their issue is being able to use Cohen down the field on legitimate routes due to his size.
As noted, it is not pretty, but a more explosive Jamison Crowder is a relied-on asset in the NFL as well. People are going to use the comparison of Steve Smith and Tyreek Hill. He certainly plays like these two and could hit the upside, but it is worth noting he is two inches shorter than Smith and three inches below Hill in height.
Would Rondale Moore fit Chicago Bears?
Having the undersize Tarik Cohen did not stop the Chicago Bears from showing interest in Isaiah McKenzie this offseason in free agency. The Bears are still looking for that splash of speed and an instant down-field offense that can open things up for Allen Robinson.
We know that Matt Nagy wants a quick passing offense that gets the ball out of his quarterback’s hands. We know that in this class, Rondale Moore is the best WR with the ball in his hands. You have to think there is an interest here.
Moore is an outlier due to his size, and his best season being 2018 is going to hurt him as well. It will push him into round two and perhaps round three. The question there is when would be the best time for the Chicago Bears to fire on adding Rondale Moore? He is a fit for this offense and is a Matt Nagy type player if the price is right.