2021 NFL Draft Profile: Jaylon Moore, OT, Western Michigan

Western Michigan has been running a successful offensive lineman pipeline to the NFL for over a half-decade now. In 2016, Willie Beavers was a fourth round draft pick by the Vikings. Taylor Moton followed it up in 2017 by warranting a second round selection by the Panthers. Then, Chukwuma Okorafor made a splash as the Steelers’ 2018 third round pick. Even center Luke Juriga experienced in-game action as a rookie as one of the higher profile undrafted free agent signings of 2020.

Now, it’s time for Jaylon Moore to add to that legacy.

The 6’4”, 311 pound lineman started three years and 32 games for the Broncos, contributing most recently to a Western Michigan offense which ranked seventh in the FBS in yards per play. Moore held down the fort at left tackle from 2018 through 2020, generating two Second Team All-MAC selections.

He earned an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in January where he was thrown into an uncharacteristic position of left guard for two drives. Even in the unfamiliar situation, Moore thrived as a run blocker, which was a promising sign for a prospect renowned for pass blocking in college. Still, the Detroit native has demonstrated the ability to complete drive through a defender in the ground game.

Moore blocked for current Denver Broncos running back LeVante Bellamy in 2018 and 2019, paving the way for two consecutive 1,200-yard seasons and an FBS-best 23 rushing touchdowns in 2019. He moves rapidly out of his initial stance and possesses impressive reaction time to defenders’ movements. This ability to mirror also plays in his favor in pass protection, where he immediately recognizes assignments and attacks with solid technique.

Moore’s quickness and agile footwork stem from his tight end days from high school. Originally recruited to play the position at Western Michigan, he dabbled in a defensive end role for a minute before bulking up his frame to become the team’s blindside protector.

He can add even more versatility to his game if he works on finishing blocks in the run game and maintaining balance in pass protection. Moore impressed when going one-on-one against the nation’s top pass rushing prospects at Senior Bowl practice, even showing signs of improvement in these areas. Winning these battles at a high percentage — and succeeding from both the left and right tackle positions — definitely led to an overall rise in the tackle’s draft stock.

The former Western Michigan standout could hear his name called as a late day 2 prospect in the third round, or an early day 3 prospect in the fourth or fifth rounds. Similar to his college teammates Moton and Okorafor, starting potential in the NFL is definitely on the table for Moore in several years.