The Arizona Cardinals were very excited when they selected wide receiver Rondale Moore in the second round of the NFL draft last year. His speed and tough running would unlock certain facets of the offense.
He looked electric early on in the season but his role became very limited as the season progressed. He got the ball behind, at or just beyond the line of scrimmage for most of the season, used as a gadget player.
As the team’s fourth wide receiver, that made sense.
However, entering his second season and with both A.J. Green and Christian Kirk are scheduled to become free agents.
Assuming they will not be able to re-sign both players, Moore becomes very important in 2022.
They expect him to be used much more next season and in a more traditional way for receivers, Cardinals wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson said on the Big Red Rage recently.
Moore should see more downfield targets.
“That’s one of things Rondale and I have discussed, growing his route tree, being able to put him outside a little bit more,” Jefferson said on the show, via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. “His route tree will grow leaps and bounds this year.”
Many want to see him used the way the Kansas City Chiefs use dynamic receiver Tyreek Hill. Moore can do many of the things Hill does, although he might not produce at the same level.
Getting him outside from time to time opposite DeAndre Hopkins could make the offense scary next year.
In 2021, Moore finished with 54 receptions for 435 yards and a touchdown.
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