Yes, Malachi Moore can be a first-rounder

The former 4-star corner out of Trussville that got benched after giving up touchdowns to 3 out of his last 4 opponents his sophomore year?

The same one that looked overwhelmed recently against Tennessee?

The same groans can be heard in the comments of a mock any time some poor sap decides to sneak him into the end of the first round. Understanding Moore’s continued presence on the upper side of draft boards requires one key admission: that fans and general managers view prospects much differently. Fans like prospects with plenty of experience and impressive statistics and generally dislike more “raw” players. They like being able to watch ample film and highlights on the prospect to get excited over the offseason. Nobody has ever been hyped up by combine footage.

General managers, on the other hand, are more focused on what a player can do for them in the future than what they’ve done in the past. They look more for potential than reputation. Moore displayed great potential starting his career, earning a starting spot as a freshman and playing a pivotal role in the Crimson Tide’s dominant 2020 season. One notable aspect of this season is that Moore was tasked with playing at the nickelback position, despite having been recruited as a safety. Versatility has become somewhat of a buzzword in today’s NFL, and Moore certainly exhibits this trait. Entering the 2021 season, many expected him to grow into a leader of the Alabama defense. However, a back injury suffered by Moore in the SEC Championship, along with the success of Brian Branch at the nickelback position, caused Moore to be demoted to the second string. Branch stayed for his senior year and once again was named the starter over Moore. It is worth remembering that Moore’s inability to reclaim his starting spot primarily result from the over performance of Brian Branch, rather than the underperformance of Malachi Moore.

General managers have been willing to look past a lack of playing time and on-field production before. Derek Stingley Jr. also played a crucial role in the Louisiana State Tigers claiming a national title in 2019, before injuries set him back and made many draft observers question his value. In the end, the Texans chose potential over experience and Stingley was the first defensive back taken in the 2022 draft at pick number 3. I’m not comparing the skills of Moore to Stingley, but the example proves how teams can have a longer memory if a prospect flashes signs of greatness both on the field and in the combine. Moore has the physical abilities to wow scouts. The reason that he is still ranked number three is that he has amazing feet and change of direction. He has shown great football IQ and, based on his high school and college combine data, should be able to put up one of the faster shuttles and forty-yard dashes in the class. At the end of the day, these physical abilities and stats will carry the day in a general manager’s office over how many tackles he got against an FCS team.

Of course, there is the very real chance that Moore could decide to come back for a senior season in a bid to get more playing time and bolster his stats and film to front offices. If he chooses to do this, more power to him. I do not, however, believe it to be necessary for a first-round selection. His speed, agility, and playmaking abilities might be enough for a team to take a shot on Moore in the first round.

Yes, that Malachi Moore.