It has been a wild afternoon for the Atlanta Falcons, who had been reportedly engaged on a deal to commerce quarterback Desmond Ridder that apparently got here collectively in a short time. They’ve shipped Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals, getting again broad receiver Rondale Moore within the alternate.
As low-cost swaps go, it will probably show to be a fruitful one for each groups. Ridder’s 2023 was catastrophic and a brand new staff most likely will give him a greater likelihood at truly showing in video games sooner or later sooner or later, even when Kyler Murray is clearly locked in as Arizona’s starter. The Falcons, in the meantime, clear the best way for Taylor Heinicke, a rookie, or each to again up Kirk Cousins whereas recouping one thing of worth for a quarterback the brand new regime clearly was not involved in attempting to develop additional.
You might need anticipated a late spherical draft choose, however that’s not the one thing the Falcons prized. That one thing is a somebody: Moore, a participant the Falcons are probably importing as their beginning slot receiver for 2024. He has a yr left on his rookie deal and is coming off a season the place he put up 352 yards and a landing on 40 grabs. He has by no means had greater than a single landing or 435 yards in a single season in Arizona, and whereas a few of that may be laid on the ft of inconsistent quarterbacking and shaky offense when Kyler Murray was out with accidents, Moore has not confirmed to be a distinction maker on the NFL stage thus far, although he has after all had flashes the place his ruggedness and pace look tantalizing.
Maybe he’ll in Atlanta, the place his highway to snaps is presently unblocked and can probably stay that manner. Moore is quick and robust for a 5’7”, 180-pound listed receiver, and will probably be simply 24 years previous in 2024. He hasn’t had a lot of a particular groups function in his profession thus far, which can change in Atlanta, however he did area kicks and punts in his rookie season and was an honest possibility there. As well as, Moore logged some snaps out of the backfield in Arizona final yr, placing up 178 yards and a landing on 28 carries.
The Falcons are getting a participant who has sufficient expertise and pace to be a extremely attention-grabbing slot possibility in what’s wanting like a compelling Falcons offense. If he’s the third or fourth receiver within the staff’s pecking order, a enjoyable occasional possibility and emergency pinch hitter at working again, and an emergency possibility as a returner, then he’ll be mighty helpful in Atlanta. I don’t assume any of these issues are unfair to anticipate, and in a extra proficient offense, maybe Moore will take off.
The Falcons aren’t fairly executed on offense but, however they’ve been working by their strikes on that aspect of the ball first and now have added their new beginning quarterback, a pair of quick receivers, a proficient blocking tight finish, and a few depth items. We’ll hope Moore proves to be a really helpful piece of that puzzle, and we want Ridder effectively in Arizona, the place hopefully an opportunity of surroundings offers him an opportunity to resurrect his profession that he clearly was not going to receiver in Atlanta.