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According to SI.com’s Connor Orr, Indianapolis Colts slot cornerback Kenny Moore is the Horseshoe’s most underrated player in a list compiled from each AFC team:
Colts
Kenny Moore, DB
Moore, who plays a majority of his snaps in the heavily-trafficked slot, is arguably the strongest member of the Colts’ developing young secondary. He doesn’t miss tackles (just five altogether in 2019), he logged a pressure or a sack on almost a third of his blitzes and he kept his opposing quarterback rating to a reasonable 76.8. His four-year, $33 million deal is starting to look like a bargain.
Since being claimed off waivers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2017, the 24 year old standout slot cornerback has become one of the best young players on the entire Colts defense.
Although undersized at 5’9”, 190 pounds, Moore sure doesn’t play like it with his long arms (32 5/8”) and physical style—as a lockdown member of the Indianapolis secondary (his 5.2 targets allowed per game in 2019 were the 12th fewest in the NFL).
Moore recorded 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery during 11 starts this past season for the Colts defense.
Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), Moore was their 15th best rated cornerback overall with a +75.5 grade overall—including a +86.2 run defense grade (the 2nd highest grade among all cornerbacks).
Although not quite a household name nationally yet, Moore has quietly become one of the best slot cornerbacks in all of football—as he’s rock solid with excellent coverage skills, tackling, and even the versatility to pass rush as an unsuspected blitzer:
Kenny Moore II Stats (2018-2019):
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) June 26, 2020
157 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 10 QB Hits, 7 sacks, 17 pass deflections, 6 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
A former UDFA, Moore II has quietly become one of the best slot corners in the NFL. An absolute stud pic.twitter.com/OL0brf7siC
Kenny Moore has only allowed a 74.9 passer rating when aligned in the slot over the past two seasons
— PFF IND Colts (@PFF_Colts) June 25, 2020
5th-best among CBs pic.twitter.com/wJLcq8CW0w
Still, the unheralded gem from Valdosta State has yet to make a Pro Bowl or All-Pro appearance after three NFL seasons—but that could certainly change in 2020.
While two of Indy’s top offensive lineman: Anthony Castonzo and Ryan Kelly have each been recently named as their franchise’s ‘Most Underrated Player’ already this offseason, it’s great to see Moore also get his fair share of long overdue credit—as he remains one of the league’s best kept secrets for the Colts.