Tag: rondale moore

CBS Sports lists 2 under-the-radar Falcons players to watch in 2024

CBS Sports listed two under-the-radar Falcons players to watch in 2024

Each year in the NFL, different players seemingly come out of nowhere to become household names. Last season, we saw Rams fifth-round pick Puka Nacua burst onto the scene with 105 catches and 1,486 receiving yards.

We’ve seen others, including 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Rams running back Kyren Williams, break out in recent seasons. Are there any Falcons players who could sneak up on the rest of the league this year?

CBS Sports released a list of 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the NFL in 2024. Two Falcons players were listed among the top 50. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore were ranked 10th and 11th, respectively:

Atlanta’s two biggest wide receiver free agent signings couldn’t be much more different, and the fact that they both make this list speaks volumes to Atlanta’s limited depth at wide receiver. Mooney, primarily a deep threat, had a career-low 31 catches last season. Since entering the league in 2021, Moore has the fifth-highest yards after catch per reception in the NFL (min. 100 receptions), but he’s pretty much exclusively an underneath option, and he has struggled mightily with injuries. — Zachary Pereles, CBS Sports

Mooney is an intriguing player whose first two seasons in the NFL were considerably better than his last two. The former Bears wide receiver had 1,055 receiving yards in 2021 while racking up 907 combined yards from 2022-2023. Perhaps a pocket passer like Cousins can get the most out of Mooney in Atlanta.

As for Moore, the Falcons acquired him in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder in an offseason trade with the Cardinals. The 24-year-old is primarily a slot receiver due to his size (5-foot-7, 180 pounds). Moore has racked up 135 catches for 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns over his three seasons in Arizona.

Wide receiver was one of the team’s bigger needs this offseason since Atlanta chose not to re-sign Mack Hollins, Van Jefferson or Scotty Miller. Mooney and Moore could thrive playing with more physically imposing weapons like Kyle Pitts and Drake London.

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Who is the most underappreciated player on the Falcons’ roster?

Who is the most underappreciated player on the Falcons’ roster heading into 2024?

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of talent on their roster, but people tend to focus mostly on players like Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson. While the future is undoubtedly bright for this offensive trio, the team has other talented players who don’t get the credit they deserve.

CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr recently broke down each team’s most underappreciated player going into the 2024 NFL season. Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss was Kerr’s choice for Atlanta:

Perhaps Elliss was an excellent scheme fit for former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, but he played a massive role in the Falcons’ defensive turnaround last year. Elliss only rushed the passer 95 times last season and notched 26 pressures (pressure rate of 27.4%), while finishing with six quarterback hits and four sacks.

Elliss played a mix of off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, making hm valuable as a hybrid player in today’s NFL. He finished with 122 tackles (82 solo), helping the Falcons defense improve from 29th in points allowed per possession (2.27) and 31st in yards allowed per possession (36.2) to 15th (1.86) and seventh (28.0). — Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

As Kerr highlighted, Elliss worked well with Ryan Nielson as defensive coordinator last season. Now that Nielsen is gone, Elliss must adapt to Jimmy Lake’s defensive scheme, which may be a bit of an adjustment.

The veteran linebacker is a good choice, but what other players are being overlooked on this Falcons roster?

One player who fans may be sleeping on is wide receiver Rondale Moore. The team acquired Moore in a rare player-for-player trade that sent quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals.

Moore never produced elite numbers with the Cardinals but with an established quarterback in Kirk Cousins, the 24-year-old has a chance to thrive in Atlanta.

Last season, Moore totaled 352 yards on 40 receptions, both of which were career lows despite playing in all 17 games. The Falcons’ offensive line is one of the best run-blocking units in the NFL, but pass protection remains a question mark.

With that in mind, we expect to see more quick passes in 2024. This bodes well for Moore, who plays primarily in the slot, as he could see an uptick in targets and production.

As defenses focus on Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, Moore will have every chance to succeed this season. It’s up to the young receiver to take advantage of his opportunities.

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Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore to wear No. 9 this season

Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore will wear the No. 9 in Atlanta. QB Desmond Ridder wore the number last season

The 2024 NFL offseason has been a busy one for the Atlanta Falcons. After replacing head coach Arthur Smith with Raheem Morris, the team signed quarterback Kirk Cousins on the opening day of free agency.

The Falcons would later trade quarterback Desmond Ridder away to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore. Ridder gives Arizona a competent backup for Kyler Murray while Atlanta adds some depth and speed at the wide receiver position.

Moore not only replaced Ridder on the roster, he will wear the former Falcons quarterback’s No. 9 uniform this season.

Moore, 23, spent the last three seasons in Arizona, racking up 135 catches for 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals selected Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Purdue.

Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney also chose his jersey number this past week. Mooney will wear the No. 1 in Atlanta. Cornerback Jeff Okudah wore the number last season but signed with the Houston Texans in free agency.

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Wrapping up NFL free agency for 2024

2024 NFL free agency is just about in the books, so it’s time for Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar to analyze the biggest transactions in the second wave.

Now that most of NFL free agency for the 2024 league year is in the bag — though there are a few helpful players still on the open market — it’s time for Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, to recap the biggest and most important moves in the second wave of this free agency phase. Greg and Doug covered the first day of free agency last week in the Xs and Os; here’s the conclusion.

Among the discussion points:

  • What does Brian Burns bring to a Giants defensive line that already has Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence?
  • Can Justin Fields become the best version of himself in the Steelers’ offense?
  • Conversely, can Kenny Pickett turn his career around with the Eagles?
  • How can Calvin Ridley use his true X-Iso skill set to ramp up the Titans’ offense?
  • Can the Texans’ addition of Danielle Hunter, along with Will Anderson Jr. and Denico Autry, make Houston’s defensive line a Super Bowl-level group?
  • What can Hollywood Brown do for the Chiefs?
  • Tyron Smith is a future Hall of Famer, but what will he be able to do for the Jets’ offensive line in the short term?
  • Chase Young has been an inconsistent pass-rusher throughout his NFL career; can he turn it around with the Saints?
  • The Lions made important additions to their defensive line and their secondary; can all that put them over the top?
  • The Falcons already have a ton of weapons for new quarterback Kirk Cousins. How will the addition of receiver Rondale Moore affect what looks like one of like the NFL’s most explosive offenses (in theory, at least)?

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Kyler Murray has Cardinals off fast against Texans

Kyler Murray is a difference-maker for the Cardinals

What a difference a quarterback makes.

The Arizona Cardinals came into Sunday’s game at the Houston Texans off a win over the Atlanta Falcons.

That could be attributed to the team getting Kyler Murray back as its quarterback.

And the Heisman winner from Oklahoma was at it fast against the AFC South team.

Murray went deep, deep, deep, and found a wide-open Rondale Moore for a 48-yard TD.

After the PAT, Arizona led 7-0.

Seahawks rookie CB Devon Witherspoon continues to lay the boom on opponents

Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon continues to make his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year with some major stick hits.

Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon was my CB1 in this draft class for a host of reasons, but his play demeanor was certainly one of them. At 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds, Witherspoon has no issue whatsoever throwing his body around and making opponents feel it. In that regard, he’s a real throwback to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor — the Legion of Boom DBs who loved to clean you clock on the field, and then ask you exactly how you liked it.

Witherspoon added to his portfolio once again on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, when he just blew receiver Rondale Moore the heck up on this quick pass.

If you had watched Witherspoon’s college tape, as the guys at PFF certainly did, you would know that the rookie was just as excited about demolishing opponents during his collegiate career.

Witherspoon has also had a sack and an interception in this game that were negated by penalties on other players. He’s certainly making his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Previewing Week 4’s biggest NFL matchups

Lions-Packers! Dolphins-Bills! Browns-Ravens! Steelers-Texans! Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar preview Week 4’s biggest NFL matchups.

With three full weeks down in the 2023 NFL calendar, it’s time to look ahead to the most compelling matchups in Week 4 of the season. As always, Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of USA Today’s Sports Media Group, have you covered with comprehensive tape study and advanced metrics.

This week, the guys break down these genes:

  • Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
  • Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
  • Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
  • Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans
  • Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

WATCH: Cardinals WR Rondale Moore speeds by everyone for 1st career rushing TD

Moore took it to the house in the second quarter against the Cowboys.

The Arizona Cardinals took a 15-3 lead over the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter and had an explosive play showing off the speed of one of their players.

Wide receiver Rondale Moore ran the ball 45 yards for a touchdown.

It was his first career rushing touchdown in the NFL.

Check out the play:

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Moore didn’t have a touchdown run on some trick play. It wasn’t a jet sweep or lateral toss to him. He lined up at running back, took the handoff and blew past everyone.

Moore’s speed and frame give him running back vibes.

We will see if he gets any more looks there.

His last running touchdown came in college.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Cardinals training camp roster preview: WR Rondale Moore

We take a look at Rondale Moore entering his third year in the league.

The Arizona Cardinals open training camp at the end of this month, so we will do a roster review, highlighting each player currently on the roster, going over last season, their salary and cap number, questions they face and what their expected roster status will be.

Next up is receiver Rondale Moore.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown remains motivated by his NFL draft slight

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown remains motivated by his NFL draft slight even after two great NFL seasons

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It’s been no secret that Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has used his fourth-round selection from the 2021 NFL Draft for motivation. He remembers the 16 wide receivers taken before him as a way to stay sharp on the field. 

On Monday, St. Brown was interviewed on NFL Network’s Total Access with Mike Yam. During the interview, he was asked about his memory of the receivers selected before him.

He said, “I actually have my goals written down in my notebook. What I want to achieve every year. So, what I want to achieve this year going into the season, my personal goals, and then right below that I have the 16 receivers written down, where they went to college right below that. And so, I read that whole list three times before I go to practice every day. It’s something I’ll never forget. Something I make sure I’m always reminded of.”

While St. Brown was selected after players such as Ja’Marr Chase, Rondale Moore, DeVonta Smith and 13 others; he still has more career receptions than all of them. Through two seasons in the NFL, St. Brown has 196 receptions a figure that is tied with Michael Thomas and Justin Jefferson for most in NFL history. 

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During the rest of the interview, St. Brown talked highly of general manager Brad Holmes and how the front office “did a great job of drafting.” He talked about Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and other weapons that are now part of the Lions offense. 

He admitted it during the interview, it’s safe to say that St. Brown still thinks about the 2021 NFL Draft. For the full interview, you can watch it here.