Rahim Moore: Potential Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Target

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) celebrates with strong safety T.J. Ward (43) after making an interception against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

As we head into the offseason and prepare for the craziness that is NFL free agency, we thought it would be fun to take a look ahead at some players that the Ravens might be interested in pursuing. While we can all dream about seeing our favorite team signing guys like Dez Bryant or Justin Houston (both free agents this year), we’re going to be a little more realistic and only look at players that might actually hit the market and draw interest from the Ravens.

Safety is perhaps not as glaring a need for the Ravens as corner, but they certainly aren’t talent rich at the position.  It seems very likely that the Ravens will retain restricted free agent Will Hill for at least 2015, but whether or not they will also decide to bring back Darian Stewart is unknown at this point. Matt Elam has proven to be nothing more than a huge bust, and Jeromy Miles was solid but the sample size is small.

Moore was Pro Football Focus’ number 8 ranked safety in 2013 before he was diagnosed with lateral compartment syndrome and required emergency surgery on his leg.

The Ravens need upgrades at every position in their defensive backfield, and as they have shown with Hill and Stewart, they aren’t afraid to roll the dice on guys looking to rehab their value.  One player that might interested them in this regard is Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore.  Moore was Pro Football Focus’ number 8 ranked safety in 2013 before he was diagnosed with lateral compartment syndrome and required emergency surgery on his leg.

Moore returned this season, but wasn’t nearly as effective.  Though strong in pass protection, he struggled against the run and finished the season ranked as only the 46th best safety out of 88 qualifying players.  He finished behind Will Hill (14th), Jeromy Miles (23rd), and Darian Stewart (30th).  So why, you say, might the Ravens be interested in a guy who had a worse season than the players they currently have on the roster?  Simple – it’s all about potential.

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Moore is still very young at 24, and played this season coming off an scary injury that almost saw him lose his leg.  In spite of his struggles, which were largely limited to four games out of sixteen this season, the Broncos never gave up on him.  The team obviously retained confidence in the young man, though their interest in retaining him is questionable.  With an entirely new coaching staff likely to roll into Denver, it’s hard to pinpoint the direction they want to go in for 2015.

Moore should be available for a relatively affordable price.  Obviously the Ravens would love to have a guy like Devin McCourty, but he is very likely to get a big contract from the Patriots, who are sure to retain him.  The Ravens have to shoot for guys whose ceiling is high but price is low, whether that be from character concerns or injury issues.  Moore fits that profile very well, and has age on his side.  Plus, his injury was a freak accident that is not going to be a recurring problem.