After selecting linebacker Zaven Collins in 1st round of the NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals drafted Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore with the No. 49 overall pick.
The 5-foot-7, 180-pound wide receiver had a breakout season in 2018 with 114 receptions, 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns and also rushed for 213 yards and two additional scores.
In 2019 & 2020, he combined for 64 yards, 657 yards and three total touchdowns. Moore did suffer a season-ending knee injury in 2019 and played in only three games in 2020.
Moore provides a yards after catch option that can also line up in the backfield as a mismatch in the Kliff Kingsbury offense. According to Pro Football Focus, Moore broke 47 tackles on 178 catches in his career at Purdue.
His route tree was also limited as he ran at very shallow depths throughout his career, averaging 5.8 yards per target. In 2020, that fell to 3.6 yards.
PFF’s Sam Monson points out that may be more about Purdue’s offensive scheme and less about whether Moore can or can’t run a more diverse route tree.
The Cardinals do not have another pick on Friday night (for now). The team traded their 3rd round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for center Rodney Hudson. Their next pick is No. 160 overall.
Jordan Hamm
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