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Seahawks: NFL Draft Sleeper David Moore

By Ben Renner

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seahawks managed to grab wide receiver David Moore in the seventh round of last month’s NFL Draft. Will this ‘sleeper’ emerge on the field?

The Seahawks drafted receiver David Moore in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, thinking they were getting a ‘sleeper.’ Indeed, Moore played college ball for the East Central Oklahoma Tigers, a Division II football program.

Although Moore received little fanfare, his skills appear to be NFL-ready. Moore ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine and gained a reputation as one of the best playmakers at the Division II level. He finished his collegiate career with 35 touchdowns, 10 during his senior season with the Tigers, when he caught 57 passes for 878 yards.

The six-foot, 219 pound Gainesville, Texas native joins a crowded receiving corps full of interesting characters, including fellow rookie Amara Darboh. He’ll join a lively competition for playing time during Training Camp, using his desire to win and play hard to fend off others vying for the privilege of catching outs from Russell Wilson.

In a hasty post-draft interview, Moore described himself as “a hard-working player, a player that loves to win, wants to win. A real competitor. I love to compete.”

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Moore could find himself on the field in his rookie season more than he realizes. With Tyler Lockett unsure to start the year and Paul Richardson‘s injury history, the rookie might shoot up the depth chart ahead of Week One if he outshines the likes of Darboh, former sprinter Cyril Grayson, or even presumed starter Jermaine Kearse. Kearse fell out of favor last season, yielding time to Lockett, who broke his leg on one of his many deep ball catches in 2016.

It appears the Seahawks love speed at the receiver position. And who doesn’t? Seattle is set up well with a tough, possession receiver in Doug Baldwin, and all kinds of speedsters after him. Moore appears to have a high ceiling in the NFL, and if he can compete well in Training Camp, we may even see him in the slot or filling in for Lockett early in the year.

The Seahawks had their eye on Moore before the draft, speaking with the youngster a number of times before his name was called on the final day. Pete Carroll and John Schneider apparently view Moore as a ‘stud.’

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Time will tell if Moore can develop with the Seahawks and contribute to the team in 2017. Perhaps most telling will be his Training Camp performance.

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