The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for free agency, which begins March 14 with the contract negotiating window and then the league year begins March 16. The team is expected to be active in the free agent market at wide receiver because both A.J. Green and Christian Kirk will hit the open market if they are not given contract extensions before then.
If both players end up signing elsewhere, it leaves a hole on the outside at the ‘Z’ receiver position and in the slot.
But that is where second-year receiver Rondale Moore comes in.
Moore, who was drafted in the second round in 2021, was used as a gadget player and fourth receiver as a rookie. He had 54 receptions for 435 yards and almost all his touches right around the line of scrimmage. He has elite speed.
He is expected to see a significant increase in his usage in 2022.
The type of receiver or receivers the Cardinals end up targeting in free agency will be influenced by what role they see Moore playing.
If they project him as primarily a slot receiver, he could easily slide into the role that Kirk played, allowing Kirk to depart in free agency. They would then need to target someone who would primarily line up on the outside as the team’s ‘Z’.
That is what likely makes the most sense. Moore would then have the opportunity to run Kirk’s routes, which included many opportunities down the field. Kirk led the Cardinals with 77 catches and 982 receiving yards in 2021.
However, if the Cardinals see Moore as a player who could line up on the outside with two or three receivers on the field, then the Cardinals could try and re-sign Kirk or target another slot receiver.
With the emergence of Antoine Wesley last season, Moore could potentially be used on the outside in two and three-receiver sets and then in the slot when they go four wide, allowing Wesley to play outside opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
Once free agency begins and the Cardinals make an addition at receiver, we have a clearer picture as to how they plan on using Moore in 2022.
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