All summer long, we’ve heard nothing but glowing reports out of Buffalo about DJ Moore, the star receiver who landed with the Bills back in March after a swap with the Bears. Moore, along with a fifth-round pick, went to Buffalo, while Chicago got the Bills’ second-round pick. Training camp chatter suggests Moore looks absolutely energized, but let’s be real, when have you ever heard a coach say a new player looks terrible or out of shape? That kind of positive report comes out about pretty much every player being in the “best shape of their life.” It’s a little sus, as the kids say, and we need to dive into whether all that DJ Moore buzz is actually warranted.
That Buffalo Hype Train Is Running a Little Too Fast
The constant stream of sunshine and rainbows coming out of Orchard Park about DJ Moore’s performance during training camp feels like glorified state media. Seriously, when’s the last time a player showed up to a new team and the reports were anything less than spectacular? This isn’t just a Buffalo thing, it happens everywhere, every year. Everyone’s “energized,” everyone’s “in the best shape.” While positive reports are great, it’s a huge red flag when that’s *all* you hear. It makes you wonder what they’re trying to hide or if they’re just trying to pump up a player without any real substance behind it. The author has spent the better part of a decade talking about Moore, and this is more than just about surface-level feel-good stories.
Moore’s Past Is Great, But The Real Story Is Getting Lost
Make no mistake, DJ Moore has been one of the most underrated wide receivers for a long time. From his 2018 rookie season in Carolina through his first year in Chicago in 2023, the man was a certified target-earner. Back in 2019, he had a true breakout, hitting 9.0 yards per target, a YPRR above 2.00, and a 22.4% TPRR. The guy consistently found ways to get open and demand the ball.
In 2020, under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Moore shifted to a more downfield role, with his average depth of target increasing to 13.7 yards. That freed up guys like Curtis Samuel (7.5-yard aDOT) and Robbie Chosen (9.8-yard aDOT) to snag shorter and intermediate targets. All three were top-25 fantasy wide receivers that season. While that’s good, seeing what Moore did the year before, we knew he could do even more. When Samuel signed with Washington in 2021 and Chosen’s production fell off a cliff, Moore kept chugging along. He had his best target-earning season yet, with a whopping 156 targets and a 25% TPRR, meaning he earned a target on one of every four routes run. We absolutely love to see that kind of consistent earning ability.
So, while Moore’s talent is undeniable, the question isn’t if he *can* produce. It’s whether this current Buffalo buzz is a true sign of what’s to come, or just another preseason mirage. We’ll find out what’s real when the regular season finally kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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