NFL Draft Profile: DJ Moore WR, Maryland

D.J. Moore would be a perfect player for the Baltimore Ravens to target in the 2018 NFL Draft:

You’ve heard of Calvin Ridley, Courtland Sutton and Christian Kirk. The three most talked about wide outs in this draft class. But, are you familiar with DJ Moore? Because if you’re not, you should start getting caught up. It’s going to be a name that you hear a lot more of when you hear talk of the prospects at the wide receiver position.

We’re just about a month and a half away from the NFL combine. And by the time its over you can expect Moore to climb up a lot more draft boards. But, come April there is a possibility that Moore could fly under the radar with Ridley, Sutton and Kirk being the more coveted wide receivers in this draft class. And like last year there’s a strong possibility that those three coveted wide outs are off the board when The Ravens are on the clock. The team might have played themselves out of drafting the more coveted prospects at wide receiver. Yet again.

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Why Dj Moore?

Strengths

• Getting separation versus opposing DBs

• Impressive with extending plays racking up YAC (Yards after catch)

• Great Hands

• Exceptional route runner

Weaknesses

• Lacks breakaway speed

• Doesn’t have the ideal NFL size

Coming off his best year at Maryland, Moore had 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns. He also won the Richter-Howard award, which is given to the Big Ten’s best receiver. Moore was ranked in the top 10 in every category in Big Ten receiving stats. He finished 1^st in receptions, 1^st in yards and 6^th in touchdowns.

Moore’s quickness is going to be dangerous at the next level. His ability to extend plays and rack up YAC by exploiting the smallest holes in defenses jumps off the screen, when you throw on his highlights and game tapes. He seems to be a magician after he gets the ball. Moore has shown flashes of being able to take the top of defenses. But his quarterback, Max Bortenschlager seems to lack accuracy on the big throws. Its certainly something Moore could be capable of. And with quarterback Joe Flacco being known for being able to throw the deep ball, it’s surely something you can’t check off the list.

Having a wide receiver like Moore that can line up on both the outside and in the slot, and play consistently at either spot is something that would give opposing defenses nightmares. Its something Coach Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco haven’t had the privilege of having at their disposal in quite sometime.

The Bottom Line:

Being a Terrapin, Moore has called Maryland home for the last three years. It wouldn’t be that big of a move for him, if Ozzie Newsome were to pull the trigger. As Capital One field is less than a 45-minute drive from M&T Bank Stadium. I’ll painfully remind you, the last time the Ravens front office passed on a Maryland Terrapin, it was Stefon Diggs. With the talent that DJ Moore possesses, I don’t think Ozzie will have the opportunity to pass over him the amount of times he did Diggs. However taking Moore at 16 or even trading down in the first round, and then drafting him is also a conversation you could hear from now till April 27^th.

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Taking Moore that high doesn’t seem so far fetched when you look at what he brings to the table. Stick with Ebony Bird throughout the offseason. We have you covered when it comes to free agency, the NFL Draft and everything else.