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According to PFF (subscription), Indianapolis Colts defensive back Kenny Moore is the league’s top ranked slot cornerback ahead of the 2021 NFL season:
1. KENNY MOORE II, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
You’ll notice that many of the top slot cornerbacks in the NFL were passed over in the draft before going on to have success. Moore is one such player. He was picked up as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots in 2017, only to be cut before making the final roster. Moore landed with the Colts off waivers and has since carved out a valuable role for himself on Indianapolis’ defense.
Since moving to a primary slot role in 2018, Moore has earned a 90.0 run-defense grade and 86.3 coverage grade when lined up inside. He brings both the physicality and knack for making plays necessary to excel in the slot. That has allowed Moore to be one of the 15 most valuable cornerbacks in the entire league over the last three years, according to PFF’s Wins Above Replacement metric.
Still only 25 years old, the former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State has developed into one of the top standouts on the Colts’ ascending young defense.
Moore finished with 80 tackles (68 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 13 passes defensed, 4 interceptions (including a touchdown return), 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble during 16 games (14 starts) this past season.
Last season, Moore had one of the best interceptions you’ll ever see, as he acrobatically snatched Las Vegas Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr’s pass somehow with one hand in the end zone during Week 14—earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in the process for his overall defensive heroics.
Moore has tremendous versatility on defense—featuring the ability to blitz, often being a blanket in coverage manning the slot, and is one of the surest tacklers you’ll find in any NFL secondary.
Per PFF, Moore was ranked their 16th best cornerback (both outside and slot) with a +73.8 overall grade in 2020. In the slot this past season, he was targeted 64 times in 415 coverage snaps for 48 receptions, 443 receiving yards (9.23 ypr. avg.), a touchdown reception, and 3 interceptions for an allowed NFL passer rating of 79.1.
While Moore’s been a victim of being continually snubbed from the Pro Bowl (because the roster foolishly lacks a specific slot cornerback designation for voting despite the position’s high importance in the modern day NFL), it’s great to see him get some much deserved recognition here nationally.
Moore remains one of the Colts defense’s top building blocks going forward—and is a high character player and person both on and off the field respectively. He epitomizes what a Colt really means right now.
Well earned recognition, Kenny.