2 Intriguing Receivers Already on our Roster

With the retention of Sanders, we are a bit closer to being “set” at the WR position for next season than it had been looking over the past few weeks. However, there is still a clear need at the WR position that needs to be addressed this offseason. We do have 2 intriguing guys on our roster that were signed in January. One is Derek Moye from Penn State, the other is Kashif Moore from UCONN. I had posted something on Kashif Moore a couple of months ago, and got a flurry of “he’s too small, we don’t need to sign another small receiver” type of comments from those who chose not to read the post. So, just to be clear – both of these guys are already on our roster under 4 year vet minimum contracts. We don’t have to give up anything to get them, and they won’t impact our cap number. The question is whether they have enough potential to impact our draft strategy at the WR position.

1. X or Z receiver Derek Moye (Penn State): I need some help with this one, and I’m sure there are enough Penn State fans on this board to give some informed opinions. He had 2,400 receiving yards and 18 TDs in his career at Penn State, and averaged over 16 yards per catch every season. His combine numbers were OK: 6’4”, 209 lbs; 4.46 40, 33 ½” vertical; 9’7” broad jump; 10 reps on the bench. His small frame and strength concern me for an X receiver on the line of scrimmage. I am concerned that he would be too easy for NFL corners to divert off his routes and impact his timing. At the Z spot starting behind the line, he may stand better chance – although both Brown and Sanders are ideally suited as Z receivers as well.

On highlight video, he looks like a guy who has the long speed to get deep, and the length to be a red zone contributor on fades. He reminds me a lot of Chargers’ WR Danario Alexander, who proved to be a legit NFL receiver this season. I’m not sure that I see a complete package though, and I don’t know if he does the little things that a receiver needs to do in the NFL like blocking downfield. Any thoughts from the Penn State crowd? Can he earn a regular season roster spot, or is there too much missing from his overall game? Most importantly, is he strong enough to handle a pressing QB without being tossed around within the 5 yard contact area? Highlight film below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KILrZZicBM

2. Slot receiver Kashif Moore (UCONN): As a UCONN alumn and season ticket holder I know this guy’s game really well. He was a victim of poor QB play for most of his time at UCONN, and I do mean poor. That was probably the #1 impairment to his draft stock. He also needs more refinement to be an NFL-caliber player, but he has very high potential. For the guys who like combine measureables, his official combine numbers were: 40 time: 4.36 official (per NFLdraftscout.com); short shuttle: 4.05; vertical: 43 ½”, broad jump: 10’6”; bench press: 19 reps. The vertical/broad jump/bench numbers give him an explosion rating of 73, which is elite athleticism – especially for a 5’9”, 180 lb. guy. As a couple of points of comparison, DeSean Jackson had a 4.35 second 40, 4.19 second short shuttle, 34 1/2” vertical and 10’2” broad jump as a 5’10”, 169 pounder. Steve Smith (Carolina) was 5’9”, 175 coming out with a 4.45 second 40. I’m not big into combine numbers, but the numbers clearly show that Moore has plenty of physical ability for the NFL. By all accounts, he was a great kid and great teammate at UCONN.

In college he had about 1,700 career receiving yards and 14 total TDs. His best season was 2011 when he had 41 catches for 604 yards (14.7 avg.) and 5 TDs. Like I said, his production was highly impaired by the crappy QBs that UCONN had during his tenure. Here’s a highlight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPQOUAjTtAU

Here’s the Steeler Depot article about his signing in January.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/01/steelers-sign-wr-kashif-moore-to-a-reservefuture-contract/

My conclusions: While I am not sure about Moye, I am intrigued. I still want a legit X receiver in this year’s draft, but I wonder if Moye has enough long-run potential to fill that spot starting in 2014. With Moore, I am sure that has the ability and quality of character to become a good NFL slot receiver, so I’d rather not take a slot receiver this year unless he’s a potential impact player who has value at his draft position – meaning Tavon Austin in the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] or maybe Bailey or Swope in the 4th.

 

Capabilities, yes. However, his experience was limited there. In 2010 he returned 8 kicks for 169 yards.

 

UCONN had pretty good returners. Nick Williams averaged 35 yards per kickoff return in 2010 with 2 TDs, and 24.5 yards in 2011. They also had DBs who were good returners at various points during Moore's tenure. It is a shame that he didn't get more opportunities because he has the speed and change-of-direction ability to be a return man.

 

His path to sticking after training camp in 2013 will probably need to be special teams. With his combination of speed, strength and overall athleticism, maybe he can be a gunner.