While I was studying Thaddeus Moss, a phrase I recently heard Mark Schofield mention stayed with me, “Scout the traits, not the scheme.” Obviously, a scheme is vital to a player’s success. However, determining success in a specific offense is contingent on a player’s traits to be able to execute.
The traits which Moss showed led me to understand that this is a player who was completely overlooked in the draft process. He is going to be productive in the NFL sooner rather than later. Taking into consideration the context of how Moss performed during his one-year span as the starting tight end at Louisiana State University, loans optimism to his career trajectory.
During 2019, Moss made noticeable gains as a starter with L.S.U. In one season as their starter, he managed to become the most productive tight end in school history. He set a record with 45 receptions for 570 yards while averaging 12.1 yards per reception. Let us also take into consideration that Moss has played in only 17 career college games. The rate at which he developed in those 17 games, along with his new home with the Washington Redskins, presents an environment for further production.
A Slap in the Face
Moss went undrafted because of a foot injury which forced him to miss the 2020 NFL Combine and draft. He was instead resigned to watch as 14 of his teammates, a number tied for the most amount of draft picks from one school, go off the board. He later signed with the Redskins as a UDFA. Prior to that, he was not shy about expressing his frustration with the draft:
“I put a lot of work in, years of football. We went undefeated and won a national championship. I played my best ball in our biggest games, so I definitely felt like it was a slap in the face not getting drafted, having kickers and punters and special teams guys get picked over me. I definitely felt some type of way over it.”
After Moss signed with Washington, he mentioned that the Bengals and Patriots were interested in him. He chose Washington because they asked first. While either of those teams could have been optimal landing spots, Moss is now with a new coaching staff that utilizes the tight end and an upcoming supporting cast of offensive talent around him. Washington will prove to be fertile grounds for Moss.
Opportunity is Earned
You hear the phrase every corner you turn in the fantasy community, “Opportunity is king”. What we rarely talk about are how those opportunities are earned. I know it isn’t sexy and it doesn’t earn you fantasy points, but as a tight end, one of your primary responsibilities is to be a sound blocker. The better you are at that, the more playing time you are awarded.
While at LSU, Moss provided solid evidence of his capabilities. He was effective as a pass protector and run blocker. He repeatedly secured the edge against linemen and devoured linebackers in the open field. There were several instances in which he demonstrated textbook technique. He effectively improvised when his angle wasn’t conducive for the required block. Here is a great example of Moss, number 81, on the left of the offensive line blocking two different linebackers in the open field. This allowed Jefferson to get loose for a huge gain.
If I noticed performances like this, then you better believe that the Washington coaching staff did as well.
Why Thaddeus Moss Can Be A Fantasy Football Star
Now to the fun stuff. For a tight end standing at 6-3 and 250 pounds, what he lacks in top-end speed, he makes up for in fluidity, strength, understanding leverage, and on-field awareness. Moss possesses aptitude as a pass catcher and route runner. He also has experience lining up out wide, inside and outside slot in trips formations, and in line. He showed his fluidity in running routes and athleticism at the catch point specifically in this Week 6 game at Alabama.
The location of where Joe Burrow put that ball was well out of bounds. But, Moss has the concentration to see through the defender’s hand while he maintains body control. This catch speaks volumes of where he was at that point and time as a receiver.
Speaking to his trajectory and development, through Weeks 1-6 of the regular season, Moss was averaging 3.5 receptions and 41 yards per game. Weeks 7-12 he upped those receptions to 4.3 and 54 yards per game. Who knows how much more production he would’ve had if he wasn’t playing behind the immensely talented receiver corps of Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall.
Moss Has Room to Grow in Washington
The tight end position ahead of Moss is weak in Washington. As it stands, the tight end depth chart reads as follows, Jeremy Sprinkle, Logan Thomas, and Richard Rodgers. All three of those players have played three years or more. However, they have yet to establish themselves as featured tight ends in the NFL. Of the three, Richard Rodgers has the most receptions in one year with 58 and that was with Aaron Rodgers in 2015.
In addition, these tight ends were not handpicked by Ron Rivera. Per PFF’s Fantasy Scouting Report, Moss’ statistical comparison is Ian Thomas who was another tight end drafted by Rivera while he was head coach in Carolina. Should Moss see significant playing time this year, he’ll be utilized under Washington’s new offensive coordinator Scott Turner. Turner is Norv Turner’s son and emphasized the tight end as a pass-catcher. This is Scott Turners first go around as offensive coordinator but he has a tendency of getting the best out of his players.
The stage is set for Moss to be a valuable fantasy tight end for your fantasy football team. He has the proven tools to earn the coaching staff’s trust and be productive on the field. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, he’s Randy Moss’ son.
Make sure to follow Yards Per Fantasy draft expert @ZKantzabedian.
