Skai Moore was a UDFA steal for the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts may have used two draft picks on linebackers, but they better look out for Skai Moore, a steal in the undrafted free agent market…
The Indianapolis Colts drafted linebackers Darius Leonard (second round) and Zaire Franklin (seventh round) but both had better look out for undrafted free agent Skai Moore, a four-year starter for the South Carolina Gamecocks who will challenge for a role immediately.
The Colts clearly valued athleticism at the linebacker position very highly in this draft, making a somewhat surprise selection of Leonard so early given his longer, leaner frame.
But the three players they got to play off-ball linebacker in Leonard, Franklin, and Moore all bring a little something different to the table.
Moore’s production in the SEC is difficult to ignore.
In four seasons at South Carolina, Moore was the team’s leading tackler. He missed the 2016 season due to injury, but he was a clear leader when he was on the field and was always around the ball.
More from NFL Mocks
- NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
He finished his USC career with 351 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. But the most surprising statistic of all was that Moore was able to rack up 14 interceptions in his career, with at least three every season he played.
Despite timing a decent 4.73-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, Moore’s lack of elite athleticism and injury history are two things that could prevent him from making the same impact in the NFL that he made in college.
With that said, the game seems to come easily to Moore. His high level of production doesn’t happen by accident, especially when he was probably the best player on the field the majority of his college career.
With his instincts and play recognition, along with the ability to play in zone coverage, Moore could very well be an impact player as an undrafted free agent, especially on a Colts roster that is lacking for depth.