Connect with us

2021 NFL Draft

Pro Day: Small, Athletic Purdue WR Rondale Moore Could Fit Matt Canada’s Steelers Offense

Published

on

Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore had an impressive pro day on Tuesday, following up his tantalizing career with the Boilermakers despite his lack of physical size.

Moore, who measured in at a tiny 5-foot-7, showed why he’s been able to be so productive for his size, as he ran an unofficial 4.29-second 40-yard dash and had a 42.5-inch vertical jump.

Only one wide receiver ran a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash at last season’s NFL combine (Alabama’s Henry Ruggs II). Similarly, only one wide receiver had a better vertical jump (Michigan’s Donovan Peoples-Jones).

Moore had over 1,200 receiving yards in 2018, when he played in 13 games and caught 114 passes for a 11.0 yards-per-catch average and 12 touchdowns. He also carried 21 times for 213 yards and two scores.

He missed time in 2019 and 2020 with what he described as grade-I hamstring strains. Moore has played just seven games over the last two seasons.

Moore was also a productive kick returner, averaging 19.4 yards per kickoff return and 6.9 yards per punt return in his college career.

The Steelers have a relatively full wide receivers room, with all five regulars from 2020 expected to return, as well as practice squad players Anthony Johnson and Cody White. The team also recently signed former Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons.

But the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator Matt Canada has used players of Moore’s size and skillset previously. Pitt wide receiver Quadree Henderson had 917 yards from scrimmage, six touchdowns and averaged 10.7 yards per touch for the Panthers under Canada in 2016 in the kind of role that Moore could be projected to play in the NFL.