Players to Watch: Devin Moore

Despite not being invited to the NFL Combine or being drafted, University of Wyoming running back Devin Moore kicks off our "Players to Watch in Training Camp" segment that'll be running all this week. Moore is 5'10" and 187 lbs, not great size for a feature back, but a little bigger than Justin Forsett. He does, however, have just about all the measurables one would hope to see in a running back -- blistering speed (4.34 official at his pro-day, though Ruskell clocked him in the 4.2x range), he's got hops (35 inch vertical leap), and he almost hit 11 feet on the broad jump. Oh, and he benched 225 lbs twenty-eight times, one of the top numbers for RBs this year. Though undrafted, NFL Draft Scout had him ranked as a middle-round draft pick and 17th best among RBs in this draft class. (Anecdote: I met him at a signing and he seemed like one of the most down to earth guys; he was also the only one sporting a Seahawks shirt, which endeared him to the crowd.)

Where would Moore fit in? Well, if Moore is to win a roster spot on the team, he would be taking the roster spot of Justin Forsett (barring injuries to the top two RBs, that is, but even then the Seahawks would likely seek out a veteran back such as Warrick Dunn to start). Moore has a lot of the same qualities as Forsett -- speed, agility, strength -- but he tends to come in just a hair better in each of those places. He comes from a small school though, and is not used to facing real stiff competition. Greg Knapp has already made it fairly clear that he believes a team should carry five backs, two of which will be fullbacks.

Why won't he make the team? With Justin Forsett stepping in as a punt returner most of last year, Forsett is no longer eligible for the practice squad and, after being fairly successful in the PR role, would not necessarily clear waivers if we cut him. Moore will of course be eligible for the PS, and would likely clear waivers, barring some hardcore performances in the pre-season games. Despite his speed, the kick and punt returns will likely be handed over to fellow rookie Deon Butler. The best chance for Moore would rest in him upstaging Forsett in such a manner that losing Forsett for good would be worth keeping Moore on the team. It's not a likely scenario, but it is possible.

Upside: Moore makes the rest of the RBs look like fools in the pre-season and plays well enough to get into the rotation prior to the second half. He shines against first-team players and fields a couple of kicks/punts with pizazz. Forsett stumbles out of the gate and can't quite catch up with his height-challenged buddy. Moore makes the team and sees about 50-75 carries during the season, while helping out on special teams with his speed and strength.

Downside: Moore plays like an undrafted free agent running back is expected to play. He flashes some speed, but lacks the skills to cut it in the NFL, at least in his first year. He is cut outright or potentially makes it to the practice squad if Knapp and Mora feel like we need a pair of fresh legs out there.