Name: FS Rahim Moore
School: UCLA
Size: 6'0, 202 lbs
Expected Round: 2nd
40 Time: 4.62s
Career Stats: Click Here.
Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]
Strengths: Great zone defender with the ability to jump routes after reading the quarterback. He has soft hands and can make plays in the secondary. Models his game on Ed Reed with some success. Able run defender. Team captain as a junior. Started his entire career at UCLA. Great in deep coverage. Stays in his lane in run defense.
Weaknesses: Struggles to tackle the running back in traffic. Sort of one dimensional and will spend his whole time in the secondary. Takes questionable angles at times and can over commit and lose a shiftier player. Not a strong player and won't be able to hold a player back on his own and also will struggle to disengage from a stronger blocker.
Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!
Why the Patriots?: If the Patriots are looking for the best playmaking safety in the draft, Moore is the answer. He'll catch everything in his direction. He had a decrease in production due to offenses taking fewer risks in his direction and he should see success in the NFL. He's a team leader and a good citizen, which is what the Patriots look for in their players. The quintessential ballhawk, Moore is the best centerfielder in the draft and would be the best option to replace Brandon Meriweather.
Why Not the Patriots?: Moore is a second round pick, which is a pretty high price tag for a luxury position. I also worry about his ability to help in the run defense, as well as his angles. He's good for a bad angle or two every game, which is worrisome. If he gets to stay deep in the secondary, he'll be fine, but if he's asked to come up (which is what Patriots' safeties do) he'll struggle. I don't know if he's the best fit for the Patriots.
Verdict: I like Moore as a player, but I don't know if he's a fit with the Patriots. I like Quinton Carter and Jaiquawn Jarrett more than Moore as fits in the Patriots' defense due to their versatility and physical natures. That said, I think Moore would be a solid second round pick for other teams- I just think the Patriots have safeties with better fits and better values later in the draft. Go for Carter in the 3rd or Jarrett in the 4th.