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NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks push defensive prospects down board

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver D.J. Moore #1 of the Maryland Terrapins scores touchdown in front of cornerback Derrick Tindal #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver D.J. Moore #1 of the Maryland Terrapins scores touchdown in front of cornerback Derrick Tindal #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter at Byrd Stadium on November 7, 2015 in College Park, Maryland.(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

30. player. 60. . Wide Receiver. Maryland. D.J. Moore

The Minnesota Vikings had a lot of success taking a Maryland receiver a few years ago. Stefon Diggs has developed into a quality player for the Vikings and he and Adam Thielen are a strong duo. That said, the team needs to add a third receiver who can give Kirk Cousins some more options on the field. D.J. Moore could be a good fit.

Moore has been another player who is rapidly rising in the leadup to the draft. He had a great final season at Maryland, logging 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns despite working with suspect quarterback play. Moore is a good possession-type receiver despite his lack of size. That should allow him to become a good No. 2 option in the NFL.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Moore to Pierre Garcon in a recent scouting report of the Maryland receiver. Here’s what he said about Moore in that piece.

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"Moore is bigger than former Terrapin wideout Stefon Diggs, but their playing style and athletic ability while at Maryland are similar. Moore doesn’t have the height and length teams look for outside and may become a full-time option from the slot. He clearly has the short-area quickness and talent after the catch to handle those duties, but his route-running needs to become more focused and fast to unlock his potential. He has Day 2 talent and could become an early contributor as a receiver and punt returner."

That would be a welcome addition to the Vikings. Moore could compete for a slot job and at the worst, he would be the primary backup at receiver for the Vikings. Consider how few needs the team has, adding Moore here makes sense, as he could end up being one of the top receivers in this class.

And for those surprised to see Moore come off the board before Calvin Ridley, don’t be. Ridley is sliding a bit after a mediocre combine and Moore is rising fast. It’s still to early to tell who will be taken first, but the top three receivers in this draft are bunched pretty close together.

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