The Bootheel’s favorite son, Willy Mo, was the third safety taken in the ‘09 draft.  Kiper had Moore’s mug at the top of his list of best available safeties from the get-go, but he lasted  until the 23rd pick in the second round.  His lack of production in ‘09, his injuries, and his so-so combine 40 didn’t help him much.  Still,the Falcons, a playoff team,* have themselves an excellent tackler that can play near the line of scrimmage and a guy who can cover the TEs and slot receivers. 

*it’s so nice that the Tigers picked 1-2-3 all went to playoff teams.  They’ll actually be on television. 

The Falcons may have made the playoffs, but they need help on defense – they gave up the 24th most yards in the NFL last season.  The Falcons went defense with their first two picks.  Actually, their first six picks.  Seven of their eight picks were defensive players, but luckily, only one safety.

From ESPN’s Falcon depth chart, here is Moore’s competition at strong safety:

• Thomas DeCoud, second year player out of Cal.  Last year he played in ten games, started zero, and had six tackles.
• Antoine Harris, third year player out of Louisville.  Last year he played in thirteen games, started zero, and had three tackles.
• Eric Brock, first year player out of Auburn.  Last year he played in one game.

Seriously, those are the three strong safeties listed on ESPN’s depth chart that are on the Falcons’ roster – nine tackles between them!   Here are the free safeties:

• Erik Coleman, sixth year player out of Wazzu who racked up 100 tackles for the Falcons last year, and started all 16 games.
• Marcus Paschal, second year player out of Iowa who did not play a game in the NFL last season.

Aging is a good thing for Moore (and this has nothing to do with the fact that he looks 45).  The starting strong safety for the last several years in Atlanta was Lawyer Milloy, who started fifteen games last year and was fourth on the team in tackles.  He got old and was released in February 2009 opening a spot for a young upstart like Willy Mo.  I have to believe that the Falcons think they have their new starting safety in Moore and that he will be given every opportunity to take the starting job from DeCoud. 

I put his chances of being the starter in September at 85% – let’s just hope he stays healthy.   And, really, the more important question is how he’ll pimp his car.   I imagine he’ll have some disposable income now….   Of course, there’s no way it’ll be as nice as what he’s got now.

Check out this Atlanta Journal Constitution article on Moore.  He’s a good dude.  Also, the article states Moore could play some nickel back.