After the loss of wide receiver Nelson Agholor, the Las Raiders find themselves without a top playmaker on offense. While they added John Brown, the Raiders have shown an infatuation with speed. Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore could pique their interest in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Moore’s NFL projection is a total mystery. After a historically impactful freshman season, he has played in just seven games over the last two years. This missed time, due both to injury and coronavirus, has put a large question mark around his draft projections.
The Raiders could use an electrifying player like Rondale Moore
Moore is a first-round caliber prospect if he plays the way he did in his freshman year. The question remaining is whether he still has the same juice. He seemed to answer these questions at his Pro Day, recording a ridiculous 42.5-inch vertical jump to go along with his 4.29 40-yard dash. This ridiculous athletic ability shows up on the tape as well as he was one of the most electric players in the country when healthy.
This elite playmaking ability was most evident in his freshman season when he helped Purdue take down Ohio State. In that game, he hauled in 12 receptions for 170 yards while adding 24 more on the ground. Keep in mind he did this in his first year against an Ohio State team loaded with NFL players. A human highlight reel, Moore certainly does not feel the pressure of big moments.
Rondale Moore did this against a bunch of pro’s as a true freshmen I’ll never forget this pic.twitter.com/ZpF8U2nRgt
— Luke (@luke3342) March 29, 2021
Rondale Moore is a tough projection
Maybe the biggest piece of news to come out of the aforementioned Pro Day, however, was Moore’s height. Measuring in at just 5’7″, he will be tied with the Dolphins’ Jakeem Grant for the spot of smallest wide receiver in the NFL. As such, he will have to become a player with incredible route running ability, which is something we just simply have not been able to see him do in a game. He instead had a role as a gadget style of player which dos not bode well for his pro future.
The possibility of him switching positions has also been raised. Due to his height and incredible ability in the open field, some have mentioned a switch to pass catching running back. However, Moore should be used as an all-purpose weapon and would not want to add more to an already steep learning curve.
While his draft stock remains in limbo, it seems unlikely he will be available in a spot that makes sense for the Raiders. Simply, defense must be the priority. However, Rondale Moore is an electric football player who any offense would love to have. Selecting Moore would make one thing very obvious: this is an offensive team now.
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