NY Jets should take a flier on this speedy WR with untapped potential

After making a big splash early in free agency by securing the quarterback of the team's offense and defense in Justin Fields and Jamien Sherwood, the New York Jets, under the stewardship of general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, have gone bargain-hunting.

In what some pundits have described as a weak NFL free agency class, teams like the Jets have been looking to sign under-the-radar players to modest deals with upside.

One of the players the Jets should consider signing who fits that bill is wide receiver Rondale Moore, a former 2021 second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. The diminutive playmaker out of Purdue, at 5-foot-7 and 181 pounds, hasn't lived up to his draft status in the NFL after showing great promise as a rookie.

Moore, who ran a lightning-fast 4.32 in the 40-yard dash out of college, showed some flashes of brilliance in his early days with the Cardinals. In his second NFL game, Moore scored his first touchdown on a 77-yard pass from Kyler Murray.

Moore's rookie campaign saw him record 54 receptions for 485 yards. He also rushed for 76 yards, contributing an additional 462 yards as a kick and punt returner.

However, injuries and an undefined role beyond gadget player duties limited Moore's ceiling in Arizona. After his third year in the desert, Moore was traded to Atlanta but would suffer a season-ending right knee injury in training camp last August, wiping out his 2024 season with the Falcons.

As a result, the 24-year-old former Boilermaker enters an ice-cold market for his services in free agency. However, one aspect that could heat things up for Moore is a built-in connection he has with New York Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.

NY Jets assistant coach has unfinished business with Rondale Moore

Jefferson, one of the select few detainees held over by head coach Aaron Glenn from the previous Jets coaching staff, has first-hand working experience with Moore. Jefferson was the Arizona Cardinals receivers' coach during Moore's rookie 2021 season and his sophomore campaign in 2022.

In year two, Jefferson publicly talked about expanding Moore's role in Arizona.

"That's one of things Rondale and I have discussed, growing his route tree, being able to put him outside a little bit more. His route tree will grow leaps and bounds this year."

Shawn Jefferson

Jefferson, Arizona's associate head coach under Kliff Kingsbury, also said this about the then-second-year player.

"Rondale is my biggest whiner. For a good reason, though. I want to get the ball in his hands."

Shawn Jefferson

Injuries would derail Jefferson's progression plan for Moore. He would miss his first three games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury and play in only eight contests before a groin injury landed him on injured reserve. That was the end of Jefferson and Moore's working relationship in Arizona.

If he can stay healthy, that's a sizable if. Moore can fill a need and multiple roles for the Jets. He has experience working RPO concepts with a mobile quarterback similar to Justin Fields in Kyler Murray. On top of that, Moore can line up outside, in the slot, and be utilized in motion for sweeps and run fakes. He also has value as an added option in the return game.

Moore seeks a redemption arc in his star-crossed career; the Jets have the opening, opportunity, and connection to make that a reality.

More NY Jets news and analysis: