David Moore’s strong season as the Seahawks’ 3rd wide receiver continues

With two bona fide stars, in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, occupying the first two spots, the Seahawks’ third wide receiver spot is a unique position. Though the opportunities may not be plentiful, the importance of delivering on those chances is absolutely crucial.

In that regard, David Moore has had an outstanding 2020, bouncing back from a tough 2019—a result of an August shoulder injury. With both Phillip Dorsett and Josh Gordon yet to play, the third receiver role has been Moore’s from the jump and he has not disappointed.

Seattle’s win over the 49ers saw Moore put together another steady showing, catching all three of his targets for 18 yards and a touchdown, while chipping in another 28 yards on the ground via two first down runs. Moore’s Week 8 output brings his 2020 production to 16 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns, along with four carries for 44 yards.

Even more important than Moore’s totals is the timing of his production for the Seahawks’ offense. Of Moore’s 20 touches, 14 have resulted in first downs. When defenses lock in on Lockett and Metcalf, Russell Wilson and Seattle’s offense need Moore to deliver—and he has been doing just that through eight weeks.

After a complete lack of efficiency in 2019, in which Moore caught just half of his 34 targets, he has become one of the most efficient tertiary threats in the league. Moore’s three-target, three-catch game on Sunday improved his catch rate to a fantastic 80 percent, and he entered Week 8 ranking seventh in DYAR and ninth in DVOA among non-qualifying wide receivers.

While Moore’s efficiency has grown, his penchant for a big play has remained. Moore’s seven-yard score against the 49ers was his first in over a year to be shorter than 15 yards (and the 17-yard touchdown against the Dolphins, which came in the back of the endzone, was more like 25 yards). In his third season as a regular contributor, Moore has successfully meshed his big-play ability and toughness in contested catches with high-level efficiency.

In Lockett, Wilson has a player in who he has complete trust; in Metcalf, a superstar threat improving on a weekly basis. Now, Moore appears to have solidified the Seahawks’ third wide receiver spot, giving Wilson yet another trusted target in the process.