Sports

Your Favorite NFL Team Probably Needs Kenny Moore II

By Luke Easterling Athlon Sports

Ever since Hall of Famer Rondé Barber revolutionized the position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' legendary defenses a couple of decades ago, finding a high-end slot/nickel cornerback has brought many rewards to the NFL teams lucky enough to land one.

That's what Kenny Moore II has been for the Indianapolis Colts for the majority of his nine-year career, but that stretch came to an end this week, as the veteran defender was granted his release from the team.

Moore entered the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, and much like Barber, was doubted because of his lack of size (5-9, 190 pounds). After initially signing with the New England Patriots, Moore was waived during final roster cuts, and claimed by the Colts.

All he's done since then is appear in 132 games (111 starts), and rack up 649 tackles (498 solo), 39 tackles for loss, 21 interceptions, 68 pass breakups, and 11.5 sacks.

But while the box score is impressive, Moore's impact goes far beyond that. He's a smart, savvy defender who always puts himself in position to make big plays in key moments.

That was still true last season, even at 30 years old:

While it's never truly a shock to see a team move on from a player who's north of 30 and carrying a hefty salary cap hit (just over $13 million for 2026), it appears this was a mutual parting of ways, with Moore looking for a new challenge elsewhere after nearly a decade in Indy:

(Somebody tell Schefty that Moore isn't a safety, please and thank you)

Too many conversations about corners (and wide receivers, for that matter) go something like, "Eh, he's too small, he'll have to be a slot guy." Size (or the lack thereof) isn't a skill, and being an effective player in the slot is about way more than how big you're not. It's about toughness and physicality; quickness, balance, and clean footwork; preparation, intelligence, anticipation, and playmaking instincts.

Having that versatility at such a critical position unlocks so much for modern NFL defenses, allowing coordinators to brew up sinister pre-snap looks and post-snap changes that can put opposing quarterbacks in a blender. What was once thought of as a rotational player not worthy of a true "starting" position has become a role that sets elite defenses apart from the rest of the league.

Moore checks every single one of those boxes, from both a mental and physical standpoint. He can handle shifty route-runners, mix it up with bigger receivers at the line of scrimmage and the catch point, and he can blow up plays in the backfield as an extra rusher off the edge. His experience and intelligence makes every other defender on his team better, providing a wealth of experience and communication skills that make sure everyone is in the right place, knowing exactly what to expect from the opponent.

Throw in his impact off the field as a member of the local community, and you've got a complete player in every sense.

Listen, if your favorite team is lucky enough to have Nick Emmanwori in the slot like the Seattle Seahawks do, good for you; you just won the Super Bowl. Ditto for Cooper DeJean and the Philadelphia Eagles the year before. If you're Barber's Bucs, and you already had Tykee Smith and Jacob Parrish before stealing Miami's Keionte Scott in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, you're also exempt from this article. There are a few other teams who already have that high-end slot defender who has the unique combination of mental and physical tools to excel at the position.

But for the rest of you, Moore should be in your building five minutes ago.

Related: Why Jauan Jennings is Exactly What the Vikings' Offense Needs

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 4:01 AM.

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