The Green Bay Packers slimmed down their wide receiving coterie this offseason, while adding Skyy Moore.
By allowing Romeo Doubs to sign with the New England Patriots and by trading Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers solidified their vision of Jordan Love‘s primary armada: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden.
A less-crowded room means more opportunities for their current receivers to break out and see if they can’t sniff one of Matt LaFleur’s least favorite concepts, that of being a bona fide “WR1.” Still, LaFleur loves to rotate his guys, and injuries happen. The room’s depth will be put to the test at some point this season.
The Packers may have signed Skyy Moore with a return-man role in mind. Still, if history tells us anything, it’s that he’ll need to play on offense at some point this season. It’ll be a tough battle between Moore and other receivers trying to make the roster. Is Moore’s return ability enough to give him the edge, and can the Packers feel comfortable if he needs to play meaningful snaps on offense?
Skyy Moore hasn’t made his living as a primary receiving threat. When he joined the Packers in March, the vision was clear. In his four prior seasons, the former second-round pick has just 581 yards and one touchdown in 53 career games. He never emerged as a primary weapon in Kansas City or San Francisco.
But he made a name for himself in his lone season with the San Francisco 49ers by rebranding as an electric return man.
Moore returned kicks and punts with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he got far more opportunities last season. He returned 25 punts for 291 yards and 907 yards on 33 kick returns. His average of 27.5 yards per kick return was fifth in the NFL, while his 11.6 return average for punts was seventh.
Green Bay desperately needs that juice, and that’s the primary reason they added Moore.
Despite having a two-time All-Pro kick returner on the roster, Keisean Nixon focused on his role on defense over special teams. It meant Green Bay just kind of existed on returns. Best-case scenario, a returner would fair-catch or not go backward or muff.
For their efforts, Green Bay was last in punt-return average and tied for 22nd in kick-return average.
As even most infants can surmise, the Packers were again not good enough on special teams! New teams coordinator Cam Achord has an impressive resumé utilizing returners, so pairing him with one of the league’s best available returners is a step in the right direction.
Of course, the Packers made a similar move last season, adding Mecole Hardman to alleviate their return woes. Hardman was also a former Kansas City Chiefs second-round pick who offered more value on special teams than on offense.
Hardman ultimately didn’t make the roster, struggling on offense and special teams in the preseason.
History could repeat itself, depending on Moore’s play in training camp and beyond.
Moore’s one-year contract is worth $2.5 million. While that would be life-changing money for most of us, it’s relatively nothing for the Packers. Don’t forget, Green Bay paid Brandon McManus a roster bonus, only to release him after the draft. If the Packers aren’t pleased with Moore, they can easily cut him.
But while Hardman bounced, Moore is in a much more favorable situation.
Watson, Reed, and Golden are locks as the top three WRs, and last year’s third-round pick Savion Williams isn’t going anywhere. There are at least two open receiver spots for depth and dedicated roles.
Bo Melton, recently converted back to receiver, has an edge as WR5 thanks to his special-teams ability, blocking acumen, and clear favorite status with the coaching staff.
Moore will compete with promising young receivers like J. Michael Sturdivant for what’s likely the final spot.
Those fringe roster spots typically go to players with special teams roles, and Moore has a special teams role that Green Bay sorely needs. If Moore can offer Pro Bowl value on teams as the WR6, he should earn that spot, and anything he brings on offense is an added bonus.
And it’s not like Moore is a liability on offense. Moore caught five of his seven targets last season, adding 87 yards and five first downs. It was his highest yards per reception and reception percentage.
In an offense that spreads the ball and isn’t above getting yards where it can, that’ll do.
Moore might not be a dedicated weapon or a fantasy football hero, but a WR6 who can keep the offense moving while drastically improving one of the team’s worst aspects is a winner. If it comes down to Moore or another option, Moore should make the roster on that return ability alone.
Of course, he needs to prove he can do it in Green Bay. Skyy Moore was in the rehab group for most of the spring for unknown reasons. But he’s projected to be ready to go for training camp. If we can see some of that return ability in action and LaFleur can scheme up some fun work for him on offense, Moore brings massive value to the team.
