This is a fun wide receiver class.
There are various skill sets and profiles for teams looking to take wide receivers off the top of their boards in the first round. And for offensive-minded Vikings fans, it’s fun to dream about the added dimension a player like Chris Olave or Jameson Williams could add to Kevin O’Connell‘s pass-first offense.
But with more pressing needs on defense, fans will likely need to wait patiently until Day 2 or 3 of the draft to see new Kwesi Odofo-Mensah get his head coach some more offensive firepower. Luckily, this receiving class’s talent pool is far from shallow. For Kevin O’Connell, Day 2 might be the sweet spot to secure a versatile playmaker to slide into this new offense.
And Skyy Moore out of Western Michigan is a perfect example of what the Vikings are looking for.
With O’Connell comes a new approach to offensive team building in Minnesota. The Vikings’ offense will transition from one that based itself out of two- and three-wide receiver sets to running primarily three- and four-wide receiver sets. Therefore, we need to rethink how we look at the depth in their wide receiver room.
Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are still an elite one-two punch. K.J. Osborn is more than serviceable. But Minnesota’s fourth receiver will be used as a situational starter. Are Vikings fans ready to see Ihmir Smith-Marsette or Bisi Johnson step into that role full-time? And even if we are, can we feasibly sustain an injury to that position without a serious dropoff or a change in the offensive scheme?
O’Connell’s new attack is begging for another consistent, talented playmaker who can be a reliable slot weapon with the versatility to fill multiple roles when his number is called. Skyy Moore can be that player.
Moore is a small-school standout with impressive production for a player still relatively new to the position. Moore was primarily a running back and defensive back in high school, and Western Michigan recruited him as an “athlete.” He quickly found his home at receiver and exploded in production. He became just the third MAC receiver to be named First-Team All-MAC as a true freshman since 1982 and quickly assumed the role of the go-to weapon for the Broncos.
He’s not gonna wow anyone with his measurables. Standing at 5’10”, 195 lbs., Moore shows above-average explosiveness and quickness, but he won’t be mistaken for Tyreek Hill anytime soon. His build is stout, and you can see his background as an RB in the way he moves after the catch. According to Pro Football Focus, Moore has a frame that allows him to stand up strong against contact, and he led all FBS receivers in missed tackles.
Moore is the kind of receiver who expects the ball to go to him on every play and quickly learned how to get himself open consistently to ensure that happens. Despite his relative inexperience, he also shows impressive polish as a route runner who will only get better as he adds a wider variety of technique and moves to his repertoire. Moore thrives on deep fades from the slot, slant routes through traffic, and taking quick RPO throws in rhythm and creating a big play.
Moore also shows impressive ball skills and contested-catch ability for a player of his size. He’s got sticky hands and the toughness to fight for the ball once it’s in the air. He’s got excellent awareness and body control even in tight coverage, allowing him to make tough catches like the one below.
Moore has been comped to several other productive players with smaller body types. Scouts who watch him see comparisons to guys like Jamison Crowder and Sterling Shepard, consistent players but perhaps not superstar WR1s.
On the higher end of his ceiling, Moore has been compared to Stefon Diggs, who Moore has said he models his game after. He may have a smaller frame than Diggs, but it’s easy to see some similarities in their quickness off the line of scrimmage and ability to secure a tough catch.
I understand if the comparison seems a bit much, but imagine the play above in a purple jersey and tell me that doesn’t remind you of Stefon Diggs.
Moore still has a ways to go before anyone takes them in their fantasy draft. But he’s a young, ascending talent with a skill set that meshes perfectly with what the Vikings need to fill out their receiver room. Moore could step in and contribute quickly in Minnesota without the burden of needing to be a go-to weapon right away. He’s got inside/outside flexibility and would immediately be a valuable weapon on third down.
At worst, he’d project to be a valuable slot weapon behind Jefferson, Thielen, and Osborn. But given time and development, it’s not unrealistic to imagine him being the Robin to Justin Jefferson‘s Batman once Thielen moves on.
Moore is smooth, has excellent hands, and most DBs he faced in college couldn’t cover him in a closet. He’ll need time to adjust to the jump in competition and refine his game, but he’d be a valuable addition to O’Connell’s arsenal in this new passing attack.
