Falcons Trade for Rondale Moore, Continue WR Room Makeover
The Atlanta Falcons accomplished their main goal of the offseason by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins on Monday, and since then, their attention has shifted to their secondary goal of getting him some weapons to throw to.
On Thursday, Atlanta made a noteworthy addition to its receiver corps for a bargain price. The Falcons acquired 2021 second-round pick Rondale Moore in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, and all it cost them was quarterback Desmond Ridder, who wasn't going to see much playing time next season after his previous struggles and Cousins' arrival.
Clutchpoints
Moore, 23, is a very interesting addition for the Falcons. Starting with the positives, the Purdue product boasts blistering speed, as he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine and has shown that speed on multiple occasions since entering the league.
Over his three seasons in Arizona, Moore had 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns. This season, though, he also found a niche as a rusher as he had 28 attempts for 178 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown. Finally, he has shown an ability to take punt and kick returns, which he did plenty of in his rookie season.
On the other hand, Moore does come with his fair share of concerns. He's yet to truly prove himself at the NFL level, as shown by his relatively meager receiving stats. Additionally, him missing nine games in 2022 due to injury may be a cause for concern as well.
As it stands now, Moore looks to be the third or fourth receiver in the Falcons' offense. If offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and co. use him correctly, Moore could become a valuable addition to the new-look offense.
