It is starting to look increasingly likely that the Baltimore Ravens could be entering a rebuilding phase following the season. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson has battled injuries over the past couple of seasons, running back Derrick Henry's production continues to decline, and the defense has struggled for much of the year, with one glaring weakness that could ultimately shape the team's 2027 NFL Draft plans.
One potential building block for a defensive rebuild could be Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. The biggest reason is simple: Moore is an elite prospect. He currently ranks as the second-best defender on my draft board, trailing only Texas pass rusher Colin Simmons, who has been dominant this season despite missing time with an ankle injury.
Why Leonard Moore could transform the Ravens' secondary
What makes Moore such an intriguing NFL prospect is his ability to excel in man coverage. Six of his seven career interceptions have come in man coverage, highlighting his ability to stay with receivers and make plays on the football. He is also one of the most fundamentally sound cornerbacks in college football in recent memory. Moore does an excellent job of maintaining his positioning and staying in stride with receivers while possessing the quick feet necessary to mirror them at the line of scrimmage.
In addition to his outstanding man-coverage skills, Moore has several other traits working in his favor, starting with his ball skills. Although he has rarely been tested this season, with just 16 targets against him, he showed what he could do when opposing offenses challenged him more frequently last year, recording five interceptions. His size is another major advantage. At 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Moore would give Baltimore a physical cornerback capable of matching up with division rivals such as Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore is Generational ☘️🔒 pic.twitter.com/NqK5PbnVZ2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 8, 2026
Adding Moore would go a long way toward improving a Baltimore secondary that has struggled throughout the season. This is particularly important with Marlon Humphrey, who has consistently been targeted by opposing offenses, set to become a free agent this offseason. Moore could also indirectly help the Ravens' pass rush, which has recorded just 17 sacks this season. A stronger secondary would force opposing quarterbacks to hold onto the football longer, creating additional opportunities for Baltimore's pass rushers.
Could Baltimore be in position to draft Leonard Moore?
The biggest question now is whether the Ravens will be in a position to land a prospect of Moore's caliber. While Baltimore fans might not want to hear it, it is difficult to envision the team making a significant turnaround following its poor showing against Jacksonville on Thursday night. Although the Ravens traded for Jacoby Brissett, he has never established himself as a reliable long-term starting quarterback.
As a result, Baltimore could find itself picking inside the top seven of the 2027 NFL Draft. If that happens, the Ravens could be in an excellent position to address one of their biggest defensive weaknesses by selecting Moore.
Given his combination of size, athleticism, ball skills and man-coverage ability, Moore could be exactly the type of cornerstone defensive player Baltimore needs. The bigger question is whether the Ravens will have a high enough draft pick to land him before another cornerback-needy team gets the opportunity.
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