The Seattle Seahawks went into the 2019 season with a new-look wide receiver group, replacing veteran Doug Baldwin with a trio of rookies in D.K. Metcalf, Gary Jennings and John Ursua.
With Tyler Lockett and Metcalf occupying the top two spots, that left veteran Jaron Brown and a pair of young guys in David Moore and Malik Turner to compete for the No. 3 receiver role, a role that eventually went to Moore thanks to a strong showing in 2018 that resulted in 26 receptions and five touchdowns.
However, Moore never really got comfortable as Seattle’s No. 3 receiver, appearing in 14 games last year but only hauling in 50 percent (17 of 34) of his targets, with just two touchdowns.
Now set to become a restricted free agent, Moore may be on the outs if the Seahawks choose to pursue other players, either via free agency or the draft, to be their No. 3 receiver.
As a restricted free agent, the Seahawks will have the opportunity to match any offer Moore signs this offseason. Considering his relatively quiet career and lack of pedigree coming out of college, it’s entirely possible he ends up back in Seattle with little traction elsewhere.
However, the team made it clear he wasn’t cutting it partway through last season when they signed Josh Gordon to replace him, and even after he was suspended the team relied more on Turner down the stretch.
With at least a handful of other receivers expected to join the Seahawks in training camp, Moore will have to fight to have a job on the 53-man roster in 2020 – and it’s entirely possible the team lets him seek employment elsewhere by not matching a tender.
