NFL Trade Rumors
Editor’s note: This article was initially published on May 14
Kenny Moore II is on to new beginnings. The Colts granted Moore’s request for a release following the draft. Moore originally requested a trade, but due to his age and contract, that was always unlikely. Instead, he is now free to sign with any team.
A former undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State in 2017, Moore signed with the Patriots out of college, but was cut coming out of training camp. He quickly landed with the Colts where he’s been ever since, even starting as a rookie. While the move might come as a surprise to some, Indianapolis is extremely high on 2025 third-round pick Justin Walley in the slot, and the time had come for both sides to move on.
One of the best true nickel cornerbacks in the league, Moore is a playmaker on defense. He has 21 career interceptions — including four he returned for touchdowns — as well as six career forced fumbles. He’s never afraid to mix it up around the line of scrimmage and will throw his shoulder into big hits. Physicality and toughness are big components of his game, in addition to his sticky coverage skills, and it endears him to every coach and teammate he’s around.
Given that Moore will be entering his age-31 season, he’s unlikely to command a massive market or a big, multi-year deal. He’s probably looking at a one-year mercenary contract, maybe a two-year deal with minimal guarantees after the first. Something in the $5 million range is probably the ceiling for Moore’s contract, around what corners like Dee Alford and Benjamin St-Juste are making.
Regardless of the contract he earns, Moore is a great veteran piece to add to your defense. Contending teams could be interested in him as the final piece to round out their secondary, while younger teams might be interested in his veteran leadership.
Moore, 30, wound up signing on with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State back in 2017. He signed a three-year, $1.66 million contract but was waived and later claimed off waivers by the Colts.
Moore re-signed with the Colts on a four-year, $33 million extension in 2019 and made a base salary of $6.795 million in the final year of that deal in 2023. Indianapolis re-signed him to a three-year deal worth $30 million in 2024.
However, he was released ahead of the final year of that deal.
In 2025, Moore appeared in 14 games for the Colts and made seven starts for them. He recorded 55 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception returned for a TD and six pass defenses.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.
The Panthers did a lot of good work to upgrade their defense this offseason. Derrick Brown is a star at defensive tackle and CBs Jaycee Horn and Michael Jackson had excellent seasons a year ago....
