Colts’ Star DB Named Team’s Most Underrated Player

What would you name an NFL participant who has been thought of arguably the most effective in his function for at the very least a few years however solely has one Professional Bowl to point out for it?

“Underrated” is the primary phrase that involves thoughts for me, and it is what Professional Soccer Focus had in thoughts when contemplating Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II.

PFF just lately compiled an inventory of probably the most underrated participant on every of the 32 NFL rosters and declared Moore the Colts’ nominee:

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: CB KENNY MOORE II

Moore has been arguably the most effective slot cornerback within the NFL over the previous a number of years, or at the very least he’s all the time within the dialog with different gamers who’ve had that declare. Moore has by no means had a foul season for the Colts and constantly makes performs on the soccer. 2021 was a relative down yr for him. Nonetheless, his 66.6 PFF grade was above common and he recorded 4 interceptions and 9 go breakups. Moore is a really powerful participant to beat and has a knack for making performs from the slot.

Moore arrived within the NFL as an undrafted free agent for the New England Patriots following the 2017 NFL Draft however was a sufferer of preseason roster cuts. The Patriots’ loss was the Colts’ acquire as they picked up a participant they didn’t but know was about to grow to be a star.

By 5 seasons in Indianapolis, Moore has began 61-of-75 video games, totaling 358 tackles (20 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 4 compelled fumbles, 1 fumble recovered, 14 interceptions, 45 go breakups, 12 quarterback hits, and 1 defensive landing. In three postseason contests, he is additionally added 3 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, and three go breakups.

In 2021, Moore completed with 102 tackles, making him the primary cornerback and solely the third defensive again to hit the 100-tackle mark for the Colts since 1994.

As PFF talked about, Moore has by no means had a foul season. In his 4 years as a full-time starter, amongst NFL cornerbacks which have performed across the similar quantity of snaps as him, Moore completed fifteenth in 2018 with a grade of 71.3, thirteenth in 2019 with a 75.5, eighth in 2020 with a 74.8, and eighth in 2021 with a 66.6.

Moore (5’9″, 190) is small in stature however big in playmaking capacity. He impacts the sport in a mess of how, whether or not it is locking up a route runner, blitzing out of the slot, killing a play behind the road of scrimmage, or forcing a turnover that regarded unattainable.

Versatility is a giant a part of being a profitable defender for the Colts however Moore really exemplifies that. In the event that they wanted to, the Colts may most likely have Moore play any of the 5 main defensive again positions.

Bodily, Moore is presented however it’s his instincts and soccer IQ that actually set him aside. Frequently, he exhibits that he’s taking part in chess whereas his offensive opponents are taking part in checkers.

All nice gamers have defining performs on their profession spotlight reel that stick in individuals’s heads. Moore has made a number of big performs all through his profession however there are three particularly that I needed to level out that even individuals outdoors of the Coltsphere can acknowledge.

First comes an interception that Moore made in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Whereas quarterback Derek Carr seems to be to the top zone for tight finish Darren Waller, who led all NFL tight ends in receptions that season, Moore shook off the nine-inch peak distinction and got here down with an unbelievable, one-handed interception.

Subsequent up is one other interception Moore made final season off of the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen, who’s broadly thought of a top-five quarterback within the NFL. Allen is pressured by Colts edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad, throws a toss-up into the center of the sector whereas Moore sweeps in, bats the ball as much as himself, after which grabs it out of the air for the choose.

Final is a play from final season that will not have been appreciated sufficient on the time. On the very first play of the sport, Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor rolls out to his proper and throws a easy go towards the sideline, however Moore flies in and undercuts the go and supposed receiver for the toe-tapping choose. 

Close to the top of final season, former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was requested how Moore was nonetheless taking part in at such a excessive degree regardless of being focused at such a excessive price within the passing sport.

“Yeah, I didn’t notice that stat, however he’s performed at a excessive degree and he’s competed,” Eberflus mentioned. “Each single time, and also you noticed it final week, that he’s competing on the go-balls, on the intermediate passes, on the short passes, on the screens – he’s one of many higher gamers in opposition to the display screen. So, he’s executed an impressive job.

“He’s labored his tail off to have the ability to play inside on the nickel,” Eberflus continued. “Which we’ve all the time seen him be a dynamic participant in there, but in addition as an every-down nook to play outdoors versus the bottom personnel and we might haven’t any downside placing him on the market in nickel. He’s simply so useful on the within there in our nickel packages that we simply depart him in there. He’s an all-around nook and he deserves all the things he will get.”

Is Moore underrated? Drop your ideas beneath within the remark part!

Comply with Jake on Twitter and Fb @JakeArthurNFL. Comply with Horseshoe Huddle on Fb and Twitter.