David Moore had scouts drooling when he dominated at the Senior Bowl back in January. Those in attendance saw a massive interior offensive lineman who can thrive in both pass protection and the running game from guard or center. Moore is raw and inexperienced, but his core traits and obvious upside make him a potential steal in the middle rounds of the 2021 NFL draft.
Make sure to check out all of our other 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports.
Player Bio
Name: David Moore
Jersey: #60
Position: Guard/Center
School: Grambling State
Class: Redshirt Senior
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 350 lbs
Core Strength (4/5)
Moore is a force whenever he gets his massive frame moving in one direction. Playing in a phone booth suits him best because he can engulf an opponent in a one-on-one matchup. While he will yield some movement, Moore is rarely in retreat for long because of how well he anchors with a strong base. Once he moves into space, Moore obliterates second-level defenders whenever he has a running start.
Leverage (2.5/5)
Moore’s not the tallest so he tends to have a natural leverage advantage in most situations. The problem is he doesn’t always double down on this edge by keeping his pads low and working from under to up. Too often Moore is content to rely on his bulk and aggressive streak to let him win individual matchups. It’s usually a winning formula, but Moore will be beaten by smart leverage players when his technique slips, like in this play vs. Osa Odighizuwa at the Senior Bowl.
Osa Odighizuwa vs David Moore
Moore is 6’1 330… He is NOT an easy iOL to get ‘underneath’ – but look at this rep 😳
Osa is as good of a leverage player as I’ve studied since @KCBoutThatLife. Hand placement, hip sink, strong lower half… Easy to see the wrestling background pic.twitter.com/wXad11PcMg
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) April 5, 2021
Mobility (3.5/5)
Moore is surprisingly nimble for a lineman his size. He gets through traffic and reaches the second level in a hurry thanks to active feet. His movement skills proved useful in the zone-based rushing scheme used at Grambling State. Yet there’s also an obvious fit for Moore in a power-based system with pin-and-pull concepts. Moore needs to improve his balance in space and take better angles pulling around the corner, but pro scouts are always wowed by big blockers who can move.
Hands Usage (2.5/5)
Moore’s hands are violent. He strikes with ferocity and hits for keeps. Like a lot of his game, though, Moore’s hands aren’t refined. He hasn’t developed coordinated speed as a striker, nor an array of countermoves. There’s sometimes a whirling dervish element to how Moore uses his mitts to gain control. If he clamps on, though, it’s game over for a defensive lineman.
Recognition (2/5)
Recognition is the weakest link in Moore’s game. A lot of it has to do with his lack of experience. He played just two years of football at McClellan High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. After a redshirt year at Grambling in 2016, Moore was named starting guard the following year. He started three seasons but opted out in 2020 after the FCS postponed its season because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A limited number of starts is why Moore has trouble reading and reacting to line slants. He doesn’t always diagnose stunts or where a delayed blitz through the interior may be coming from. This is a player who has got by on his natural athleticism and size. He’ll improve his on-field smarts with the right coaching at the next level. It’ll be important to help the game slow down for Moore and teach him to see the whole field when in space.
Pass Protection (3.5/5)
As long as Moore lets his hands settle early and keeps his feet moving, he’s going to engulf most pass-rushers. He put it all together at the Senior Bowl against some of the toughest, most talented defensive linemen in this class.
Senior Bowl biggest risers:
– David Moore, IOL, Grambling State
He played guard at Grambling but took some reps at center. He can really shut down the rush and he’s athletic in the open field. His upside is massive. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/JA6WRQao0f— Luca Sartirana (@SartiranaLuca) January 29, 2021
These performances were important because they showed how effectively Moore can block against a higher level of competition than he faced with the Tigers. Notice how easily pass-rushers are brought to a grinding halt once Moore locks on with his hands. Again, he needs to play lower at times and mind his balance, but Moore can take power rushers or speed guys wherever he wants to move them.
Run Blocking (4/5)
Moore has an appetite for destruction whenever he’s knocking open holes in the running game. His initial punch will usually move an interior defensive lineman off his spot, but what’s more impressive is what Moore does once he moves through traffic. Linebackers and defensive backs soon taste the turf if they try to take Moore on in space.
Senior Bowl: David Moore climbing off the OZ combo, tossing, and finishing a LB in 9-on-7 yesterday. pic.twitter.com/WuivQGDuct
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) January 27, 2021
It’s not just about packing a wallop on the go. Moore is an asset because of how smoothly he moves up to the second level. That’s a must in zone-blocking schemes, but if Moore improves his angles as a pulling guard, he’ll become a lynchpin for a power-based running game in the pros.
Intangibles (2.5/5)
Moore hasn’t played a lot of football, so a lot of his game remains raw. His technique needs more consistency, while he must show a keener sense of what is happening around him. His lack of experience also comes with a benefit, though. Moore is a blank slate with the core physical tools a shrewd position coach will refine into the makings of a dominant NFL lineman.
Player Summary
Moore will outplay his likely draft status if he responds to coaching early and keeps his weight down. There is definitely potential to be a starter in a player who won’t lose many contests of strength in the pits. Once he learns a few more tricks, Moore will be tough to keep off the field.
Final Grade (24.5/40): Third- to fifth-round pick
Player Comp: Gabe Jackson
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
