Chicago Bears NFL Draft: The running back everyone is sleeping on

Draft Profile

How is it possible for a running back to rush for 3,570 yards (good for a 6.1 yards per carry average) and 33 touchdowns in his career and fly under the radar? We’re not sure, but that’s exactly what’s happening with Jalin Moore.

Perhaps it is because of a gruesome injury he suffered last year in the fifth game of the season. Against Arkansas State, Moore fractured and dislocated his right ankle. It forced him to miss the Senior Bowl and all but the bench press event at the NFL Combine — though he put up 27 repetitions which were good for second place among running backs.

However, Moore is recovered from his injury as he demonstrated during his Pro Day on April 4th. He didn’t run the 40-yard dash — not because he isn’t healthy — but because he did not have the requisite time following his recovery to train for the event. However, he has previously run a 4.37 and expects to be around the same time post-injury.

What he did do at the Pro Day is remove any lingering doubts that his ankle is fully healed, turning in a 4.39 20-yard shuttle, which would have put him 13th among Combine participants for running backs.

Moore fits the physical mold of what Nagy is looking for at 5-foot-10 and 212 pounds. He has very good vision, and Dane Brugler of The Athletic even has him as his 10th rated running back in this class.

He’s a tough runner who places a premium on ball security, with only two fumbles on 605 carries. He maintains great contact balance and is very dangerous in space — particularly once he gets to the second level. Enjoy this highlight reel showing off some of these strengths.

He even earned high praise from Bears’ linebacker Roquan Smith when he was at Georgia. Specifically, Smith said:

"“He’s an awesome back — a one-cut, downhill runner. The system that he’s playing in is perfect for his style. I can tell that he belongs. He could be playing in the SEC right now. I can clearly see that.”"

One thing that scouts wanted to see from him, though, was whether he could catch, as he did not have that many opportunities in college. Well, he didn’t drop one pass at his Pro Day, despite being put through a very rigorous routine.

The Chicago Bears should be very interested in a player with his skill set, and according to Ethan Joyce of the Winston-Salem Journal, they have already met with Moore. We talked about his fit with the team, and much more recently when connected to discuss his journey.