2015 NFL Free Agency: Top Five Safeties Available
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) intercepts a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
2. Rahim Moore
Pros: a long safety who has the size to play both safety positions but who has the great range and zone skills of a top notch free safety. Moore is also young, having just turned 25, and his best years may still be in front of him. He has excellent recognition and burst to the ball, and plays the deep middle with excellent range. Has eight picks in his four-year NFL career, including four last season.
Cons: a significant leg injury late in the 2013 season seemed to slow him down a bit last season, and may be a problem going forward. He also has good speed for a safety but not great speed, and can’t really be relied upon to cover a slot receiver in a pure man scenario.
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Scheme fit: Rahim Moore has played the past three years for Jack Del Rio in Denver and knows his system well. He’s a natural deep safety who fits perfectly into a three-deep or a two-deep look as well as a single-high look, but he can also play the strong safety role, as a robber or, again, in the two-deep.
Market value: likely strong, especially with Devin McCourty off the market. Moore has attracted interest already from the Vikings and Giants, and as the open signing period draws near more interested parties may emerge. I had thought he could be available for as little as $4M per year, but given the state of the market now. he could get a much larger deal: look for something like four years, perhaps $25M total.
Would he sign with the Raiders: yes. If the Raiders are interested, Moore knows Del Rio well and knows he would have a role alongside future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. The Raiders can also easily afford $5M or $6M a year for a safety, especially with so many big-money targets off the board. It depends on Del Rio’s inside knowledge of Moore, and if Del Rio wants to bring him along to Oakland.
Next: 2015 FA Preview: #3, Da'Norris Searcy