By Adam Aniba
Draft Prospect Spotlight; Rondale Moore
The situation at wide receiver for the WFT is, arguably, one of the top rosters needs this offseason. Luckily for Washington, this year's crop is deep with a ton of talent at slot receiver. For the second year in a row Terry McLaurin led the team in all receiving categories and it wasn't close.
Former Alabama UDFA Cam Sims showed promise during the stretch run of the 2020 season at the X receiver. Although Sims converted some critical 3rd down conversions in key wins, he has a tendency to disappear in games, while struggling to gain separation. Sims will likely have a role in the receiver rotation along with unproven small schooler Antonio Gandy-Golden, but their options at slot are bleak. After showing some promise as the starting slot on 2019, Steven Sims Jr is no longer in the teams plans. At pick #19 top receivers Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith will be off the board, leading the Washington gojing for BPA at another position of need.
The truth is Washington and other receiver needy teams will find future starters and potential gems on Day 2-3 of the draft. The Burgundy and Gold Report has just the weapon that could be the perfect compliment to #17.
Rondale Moore
5'9" 180 lbs
Purdue University
Late 2nd-4th Round Grade (Pending Medicals)
Career Stats 230 rec 1915 yards 14 td's and 10.8 ypr average and 30 att 248 yards rushing 3 td's 8.3 ypc (played in just seven football games over the last two seasons due to injury)
2020 35 rec 270 yards 6 att for 32 yards rushing
Awards and Accolades
* 2018 Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in all of college football
* 2018 First-Team All-American by the Associated Press as an all-purpose back
* 2018 First-Team All-American by The Athletic
* 2018 CBS Sports Freshman of the Year.
Tale of the Tape
* Strong hands, routinely snatches the ball away from defenders
* Shifty with little wasted movement
* Swiss army knife, can line up all over the field
* Plays bigger than his size would dictate
* Has multiple gears and shows it when being run down in the open field
* Prior to 2019-2020 injuries, looked like the most versatile weapon in the nation
Fit in Washington
Washington's opening at slot receiver is a glaring need and has lacked consistency since Jamison Crowder departed for New York. Regardless of what they do in free agency or in the drafts early rounds, multiple receivers will be needed to build their passing game for whomever is the next starting quarterback. Moore has dealt with nagging injuries since his breakout 2018 season (114 rec 1258 12 td's and 213 yards rushing for 2 td's).
The Purdue receiver's pro-day medicals will determine if teams will keep him on their Day 1-2 board or label him too risky to draft in the top 4 rounds. Moore's draft day drop is likely if there’s any concern over durability, but it only takes one team to fall in love with his potential. In saying that, if Moore‘s durability does come into question and is available when Washington's 2nd-3rd round pick rolls around, Moore's ability as a do-it-all offensive weapon might be too hard to pass up.
Washington fans are right to feel hesitant endorsing a prospect who has missed so many games due to injury. But we saw what a change in medical/training staff did for the Burgundy and Gold this season and how IR designations were dramatically down. This could be the situation that Moore thrives in. The talent is there and if Moore falls to 2nd round, he could be the solution to Washington's issues at slot.
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*Draft grades cross referenced by TDN