The Michigan Wolverines’ defense will be formidable in 2024, and with his 2025 NFL Draft scouting report, safety Rod Moore is one of the more compelling prospects the unit offers. What does Moore bring to the table, and how does his evaluation stack up?
Rod Moore’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 185 pounds
- Position: Safety
- School: Michigan
- Current Year: Senior
It says a lot when a player sees starting reps right away at the collegiate level, and Moore proved that acclimating was no issue when he joined the Wolverines as a four-star recruit in the 2021 cycle.
Moore played in 11 games as a true freshman, racking up 32 tackles and a pass breakup. The following year, he upped his production, amassing 71 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, four interceptions, and three pass deflections.
Likewise, 2023 brought more of the same for Moore, who managed to accrue 38 tackles, a tackle for loss, two picks, and three pass breakups in his junior campaign. He’s a multi-year starter whose ability to adapt and pick things up quickly sets him apart in the secondary.
Unfortunately, Moore tore his ACL in spring practices earlier this year — but he still has a 2025 NFL Draft scouting report worth keeping tabs on.
Moore’s Scouting Report
Strengths
- Sports a lean and wiry frame with solid proportional length for his size.
- Has abrupt accelerative freedom and can freely sink and load potential energy in base.
- Has great long speed and center-fielder range, tracking speed threats to the boundary.
- Hyperactive short-area athlete who darts around with searing twitch and foot speed.
- Flexible athlete with free-flowing energy circuits, who can easily sink and retract.
- Easily channels momentum through transitions, can swivel and stack redirections.
- Extremely versatile, intelligent DB who can play two-high, single-high, or nickel DB.
- Superb processor who can quickly diagnose leverage and survey route concepts.
- Reacts to stimulus quickly in off-man and zone, and can adapt through routes with ease.
- Is active even in idle situations and actively keys in on QB intent while roaming zones.
- Has the coverage variability to shuffle, pedal, and shift easily between different phases.
- Brings great willing physicality for his size when looming over the box in support.
- Triggers downhill quickly and can use micro-movements to adjust his pursuit angles.
- Closes fast with long strides and has the gap awareness to maintain his positioning.
- Has the coordination to capitalize on tipped passes and overthrows in the deep third.
Weaknesses
- Recovery speed, while exceptional, might be a notch below the elite mark.
- Frame is noticeably light and lean overall, and may struggle to hold additional weight.
- Occasionally drifts too far upfield against intermediate hitches, granting extra cushion.
- On occasion, plays too tall on his backpedal, slightly snagging transitions downfield.
- Can be a tick late flipping hips when WRs work across-face on deep crossers and posts.
- Occasionally takes his eyes off the QB when anticipating vertical attacks from receivers.
- Lighter frame doesn’t always hold up in contact situations against heavier opponents.
- With slimmer frame, visibly lacks the play strength to consistently secure solo tackles.
- Sometimes goes too high as a tackler and fails to wrap up, brushing past runners.
- Tore his ACL in spring practice of 2024, putting his season outlook in jeopardy.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Entering the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Moore grades out as a top-50 prospect and an early-round candidate at the safety position. Though his health status will be the largest variable in his stock, he has the tools to eventually become an impact NFL starter.
Moore tore his ACL during spring camp in late March. Thus, his outlook for the 2024 campaign — and the 2025 NFL Draft cycle following it — is unclear. Even if Moore plays sparingly in 2024, he’s put up enough quality tape to be a coveted prospect.
At around 6’0″, 185 pounds, Moore functions as an extremely versatile and high-utility defender who can play single-high, two-high, off-man nickel, and in various intermediate zones. He’s explosive, agile, fluid, rangy, and he brings exciting physicality to the fold.
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Should he eventually return to full health, Moore is one of the more complete safety prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, with added playmaking chops and dynamic athleticism. He’s a bit leaner than average, which does come with play strength concerns. Aside from that, there aren’t too many glaring knocks.
At the NFL level, Moore can grow to become an impact starter at the free safety spot, with role and alignment versatility, and he has the combined mobility and processing ability to start early in his career.
