Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Rondale Moore is in the conversation to be one of this season’s surprise performers in the National Football League.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler talked to various NFL executives, scouts and coaches to see who people across the league believe will take home this season’s top individual honors. They also gave their thoughts which players will break out and others who will be the most polarizing stars.
There was no consensus among them as to who the biggest surprise of the season will be. However, one anonymous AFC executive saw the potential of Moore during the preseason.
You could already see in the preseason they are trying creative ways to get him the ball. He’s dynamic. I think he’s heavily involved in what they do.
Moore was used primarily in the slot during Arizona’s two preseason games. He was given mostly short routes across the field in passing situations. He had six receptions on nine targets.
Moore also had three carries in the preseason.
His speed shined in Arizona’s preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. His two carries in that game went for 16 yards.
Moore was put in motion from a receiving position on all three preseason rushes, showing some of the creative ways head coach Kliff Kingsbury might utilize him.
Moore also received some reps on special teams, particularly in Arizona’s second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. His opening kickoff return was affected by a holding penalty. He was also on punt returning duty twice, but those returns ended as fair catches.
He is currently listed as a second slot receiver behind Christian Kirk. Arizona’s four-wide receiver sets could include both Kirk and Moore in slot positions.