PFF Names Colts’ CB Kenny Moore’s Contract as One of the NFL’s Top 32 Deals

According to PFF, Indianapolis Colts slot cornerback Kenny Moore has one of the NFL’s top 32 contracts—almost rounding the list out at the 28th overall spot:

28. CB KENNY MOORE II, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: FOUR YEARS, $33.3 MILLION ($3.5 MILLION IN REMAINING GUARANTEES)

Moore’s inclusion on this list requires discussion of “sub-positions” in the NFL and how we analyze their contracts compared to their positional peers. The slot cornerback market is extremely top-heavy, with only a select few true slot specialists earning significant multi-year contracts, while much of the league continues to be comfortable playing its “third cornerback” on the inside.

As the “nickel” package on defense — five defensive backs with one linebacker from “base” personnel replaced — becomes more and more prevalent, the value of the slot cornerback will continue to increase. This is especially true as top wide receivers are moved around the formation more, with many now logging a quarter or more of their snaps in the slot.

Entering the second season of a 4-year, $33.3 million contract extension he signed ahead of the 2019 campaign, Moore has become arguably the league’s top slot cornerback.

In fact, per PFF, Moore was recently named their NFL top ranked slot cornerback ahead of the 2021 season.

The 25 year old standout slot defensive back has become one of the cornerstones of the Colts’ both young and ascending defense—and figures to be for the foreseeable future.

The great thing about Moore is that he’s incredibly versatile, featuring the ability to be a blanket inside, blitz the quarterback at times, and is a very sure tackler in space.

Per PFF, Moore was ranked their 16th best cornerback (both outside and slot) with a +73.8 overall grade this past season. In the slot during 2020, he was targeted 64 times in 415 coverage snaps for 48 receptions, 443 receiving yards (9.23 ypr. avg.), a touchdown reception, and 3 interceptions for an allowed NFL passer rating of 79.1.

Here’s hoping with NFL defenses continuing to deploy more sub-packages in nickel and with a greater appreciation/valuation of slot cornerbacks overall, that the NFL will eventually create a slot cornerback positional designation for Pro Bowl voting—because Moore has been plenty deserving over the past few seasons for such high honors.

His contract remains one of the best in football given his value, production, and importance to the Colts secondary—and the team’s underlying overall success. It’s a situation where the deal worked out well for both the player (for better long-term security) and the franchise.