The Packers are heading into the 2022 NFL Draft with a huge hole to fill at wide receiver. Not only were there players hitting free agency this year, but Green Bay traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. They also just lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Chiefs, and they lack speed at the position.
This is my third installment in the series of wide receiver draft prospects that Green Bay can pick in this year’s draft. They can look for Jaivon Heiligh, a receiver who they could choose in the second or third round. The Packers can also consider drafting Treylon Burks, a WR they may have to move up in the first to draft. Next is Skyy Moore, who can be a receiver Green Bay can possibly draft 28th overall.
Moore: College Career at Western Michigan
Moore proved he can be a WR1 on the team, as he accounted for 37% of the teams targets last season. He turned those 125 targets into 94 catches for 1,291 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Lining up wide on 65% of snaps, he averaged 13.7 yards per reception and totaled 534 yards after the catch. In his three seasons at Western Michigan, Moore tallied 170 receptions for 2,484 yards receiving, and 16 touchdowns. He emerged himself as a dominant receiver as he had more receptions in 2021 than he had in his first two seasons combined (76). In 2021, Moore averaged a PFF grade of 97.4 when being targeted from 0-20 yards out past the line of scrimmage. His 2021 season PFF grade of 91.8 was ranked first out 1,006 wide receivers.
He only had three drops and forced an FBS high 26 missed tackles. Also, Moore earned 60 first downs proving he can be a reliable weapon on third downs. Moore broke out at 20 years old, and after the combine has an ADP (average draft position) of 35.1. His most common drafted team: Green Bay Packers at 22% of all mock drafts completed on PFF.
Moore at the NFL Combine
Moore shined at the NFL combine, and is considered a winner in post-combine consensus rankings. He ran a 4.41 forty-yard dash (ninth best among class), and showed his elusiveness at the three-cone drill with a time of 7.13seconds (seventh best). Moore did show a flaw with his lack of catch radius and ability to make contested catches. He only had a 34.50″ vertical jump which was only 17th best in this WR class. However, with his talent and physicality, NFL scouts would be willing to overlook those results.
Skyy Moore and his releases 😳 pic.twitter.com/F4fremzsLG
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 27, 2022
Route Running
When watching Moore play in the 2021 season, one word comes to mind: elusiveness. His skill set becomes more intriguing as you watch his tape. He is one of the most refined route runners in the 2022 wide receiver draft class. At 5’11” and 195lbs, Moore won’t be limited to just an underneath slot role in the NFL, as he implements his speed to stretch the field and reel in those 20+ yard passes to be a deep threat as well. On paper he’s considered an undersized pass catcher, being most compared to Julian Edelman. However, his physicality and ability to create space and YAC (yards after catch) with his speed is what impresses the scouts while watching his tape.
Nearly every explosive play from Skyy Moore in 2021 was vs press coverage…
Impressive player with speed/suddenness and excellent hands. YAC weapon and vertical threat
DB/QB in HS at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/iuyHMWnlQU
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 10, 2022
Moore is incredibly quick off the line of scrimmage. Combining his physicality and elite shiftiness, he’s able to shake off press coverage with ease. He’s the typical “can’t touch him in a phone booth” agile receiver. It’s a little surprising that with his elusive and crisp route running, he only lined up in the slot on 37% of snaps. However, he can easily transition into the NFL level with his ability to sink in his hips quickly on breaks and change direction inside a route. Where he can really do damage is an underneath crossing route, splitting the zone coverage and creating yards after the catch.
How Does Moore Fit Into the Green Bay Offense?
Moore will probably not be a first round pick by the Green Bay Packers, unless they feel that he can drastically improve the offense as a pass-catcher for Rodgers. However, he has the versatility to line up anywhere on the field under Matt LaFleur’s offensive scheme. Because Green Bay didn’t re-sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Moore can provide that deep threat on the outside. Moore can line up in the slot and offer those deep post routes and split the two safeties. He can also create space on a simple slant route, split the linebackers, and gain yards after the catch. He’ll have the ability to gain Rodgers’s trust immediately.
Given that Green Bay has a history of successfully drafting receivers in the second-fourth rounds, Moore can continue the tradition. Could they draft him in the first round? We’ll see if they fill the hole Davante Adams made via free agency, or use the 22nd draft pick on a receiver. With his talent and under the radar draft capital, Moore can easily go at the end of the 1st. If not, Green Bay could possibly draft him with their 53rd overall pick.
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