Should the New York Giants target electrifying WR Rondale Moore in the 2nd round?

The New York Giants desperately need an electrifying playmaker on offense, and it is possible they look to the 2021 NFL draft to solve their problems. With the salary cap expected to drop a maximum of $25 million this off-season, teams will be shedding dead weight to try and save money. The Giants don’t have much to spend, even after they cut LT Nate Solder and wide receiver Golden Tate. That would provide them an additional $16 million in free agency, and the expectation is that they will dive into the wide receiver market this off-season.

Despite their interest in bolstering Daniel Jones’ weapons, the NFL draft offers plenty of solid pass catchers in the first two rounds. The Giants have been linked to receivers DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and hybrid tight end Kyle Pitts in the first round. There’s no guarantee any of the three will be available with the 11th overall pick, so the Giants might be looking to find an electrifying playmaker in the second round.

The New York Giants could look to a Purdue standout:

One phenomenal athlete is Rondale Moore from Purdue, who is listed at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, setting records for Trinity High School with 104 receptions, 1,461 yards, and 16 touchdowns in 2017. His production in college was equally as mesmerizing, despite suffering through multiple injuries over the last two seasons. In 2018, he enjoyed 753 healthy snaps, recording 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Moore primarily features in the slot, playing 688 snaps out of 753 two years ago. Ever since then, he’s dealt with lower-body injuries that have significantly limited his production and action. However, when he’s fully capable and healthy, he has a similar play-style to Tyreek Hill, with dynamism and quick-twitch abilities to pick up extra yards in the open field.

At the NFL level, Moore can fit an extremely diverse role with a creative play-calling scheme centered around getting him the ball in the backfield and in open space. The primary issue with drafting him so early is his injury history, but his potential is just too attractive to pass on. There’s a good chance he drops to number 43 in the second round for the Giants, and if that is the case, they should seriously consider selecting him.

A few additional notes, his ability to stop on a dime and change direction make him an elite playmaker within 10 yards. Having run a 4.33 40-yard dash out of high school, he has the speed to push the ball downfield but also work out of the slot and attack the shallows. He’s not exactly the WR the Giants are looking for, considering he primarily works out of the slot, where Sterling Shepard also resides.

Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett prefers a big body WR on the outside, which is something they can look to get in free agency if they want to take an electrifying player like Moore in the draft. With a limited route-tree, composed mainly of underneath routes and crossing options, he needs a bit of development with that part of his game. However, his ceiling is so high, and his natural athletic abilities are so impressive, it will be hard for any team to pass on him in a second round.