With the 2021 NFL season wrapping up, it is already time to start looking ahead to the next season. Every year there are a number of players that make a tier jump. This past season guys such as Deebo Samuel, Mark Andrews, and Cordarrelle Patterson were able to make that jump. Arizona Cardinals’ WR Rondale Moore has all the tools to be the next breakout star.
Rookie Season
The first indication of a 2022 breakout is his high draft capital. The Cardinals spent the 49th overall pick on the explosive playmaker out of Purdue. Moore put in a productive rookie season; finishing with 64 targets, 54 receptions, 435 yards, one touchdown, and 18 carries for 76 yards. While those numbers are not eye-popping, Moore is oozing with potential.
Big-time Playmaker
In his second game in the NFL, Moore produced a stat-line of seven catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Most rookie wide receivers take time to develop. Moore was able to provide an instant splash. As a true freshman at Purdue, he was a First-Team All American. That means he was one of the best wide receivers in the entire country at just 18 years old. In his only full season (13 games) Rondale Moore had 114 catches, 1258 yards, 12 touchdowns, 21 carries for 213 yards, and two touchdowns. Per game, that is 10.4 touches, 113 yards, and 1.08 touchdowns.
Departing Weapons
A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, and Chase Edmonds are all free agents this offseason. The Cardinals could decide to bring them back, but rumors right now are pointing towards all three players testing free agency. James Conner is also scheduled to be a free agent, but after a fantastic 2021 campaign, all signs suggest the Cardinals will resign him. If they leave, 174 receptions, 2141 yards, 8 receiving touchdowns, 116 carries, 592 yards, and 2 rushing touchdowns will be leaving with them.
The Cardinal Effect
Arizona is the perfect situation for Moore to be in. This team has a brilliant offensive mind in Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury loves to run an up-tempo offense, resulting in more plays and opportunities. Rondale Moore will not be a true WR1 in the NFL, and he does not have to be. The Cardinals already have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Deandre Hopkins. Any NFL team needs a great quarterback to be successful The Cardinals check off that box with superstar Kyler Murray/ This trio of Kyler, Kliff, and Deandre will make sure the offense is humming and will give opposing defenses lots to worry about.
Mini-Deebo
The NFL is a copycat league. Teams will take notice of how the 49ers were able to make Deebo a focal point of their offense by putting him in the backfield. Rondale Moore averaged 10 yards per carry in college, and 4.2 yards per carry in the NFL. He is fast, explosive, lightning-quick, and he makes people miss in the open field. The Cardinals would be wise to increase his work in the backfield.
Pay Attention to the Offseason
If the Cardinals have faith in Rondale Moore taking a leap, they will let their free agents leave, and not replace them in the draft. Moore has the capability of filling the WR2 spot for the Cardinals as well as being the complementary back to James Conner. If this happens, Rondale Moore will have a huge impact next season.
Follow us on Twitter!
Check out our shop!
Buy New & Used Team Jerseys, Sports Apparel, Footwear, & Hats at SidelineSwap.com!