Two years after taking him in the second round, the Kansas City Chiefs could cut wide receiver Skyy Moore. Selected out of Western Michigan, the small school product had the raw tools to be a great fit in Andy Reid’s offense, as he tested remarkably well at the NFL Combine. However, Moore has yet to prove himself on the field, as he recorded just 43 receptions for 494 yards on 71 targets over his two professional seasons while failing to climb an unimpressive depth chart.
The Chiefs loaded up on wide receivers during the offseason, signing Marquise Brown as a free agent and trading up for first-round pick Xavier Worthy. With these two joining Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore is a popular roster cut. However, the wide receiver isn’t worrying about things outside of his control.
“I’m just coming in every day the same person, just putting the work in,” Moore said, via Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star. “I believe once you put the work in, the rest, it’s not up to me. So I just want to focus on what I can control and just keep getting better.”
This is a good attitude to have, but it won’t save Skyy Moore from being cut. He might’ve worn out his welcome on the stacked Chiefs depth chart, but he could find a home with a receiver-needy team like the Chargers or Panthers.
Chiefs Could Cut Skyy Moore, Panthers, Chargers Could Land Him
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the offseason with the NFL’s worst group of wide receivers, and it’s only gotten worse. 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston cannot get out of his own way, while 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey is battling an injury. With the rookie sidelined and Justin Herbert dealing with his own health issues, the offense currently runs through Easton Stick and DJ Chark. That combination won’t win too many games, so Los Angeles must try everything to get this offense moving.
Skyy Moore probably won’t save this passing attack, but the cut candidate could compete for a depth spot on this woeful depth chart. Somebody needs to catch passes from Herbert once he’s back on the field, and there are no reliable options behind McConkey, Chark, and arguably Joshua Palmer. Perhaps seventh-round pick Cornelius Johnson and Brenden Rice make a name for themselves, but Moore could provide a much-needed veteran presence.
Panthers Need Speed
The Carolina Panthers spent the offseason trying to make life as easy as possible for 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young. After crashing and burning with no reliable weapons, the Panthers added Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette to pair with Adam Thielen. Legette’s ceiling is through the roof, but the rookie took a while to gain traction in college and might not be ready to help right out of the gate. Johnson, meanwhile, is a fine intermediate threat who lacks the speed to challenge defenses over the top.
Skyy Moore might not be the world’s most consistent player, but the cut candidate has straight-line speed. Even if he’s doing nothing more than running cardio, his presence will force defenses to respect the deep part of the field. This should open up the underneath passing game, which should lead to easier completions to Johnson and Thielen.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
