The Cardinals are pulling the plug on the Rondale Moore experiment. They’re sending him to Atlanta in exchange for Desmond Ridder in a straight-up swap of regretted draft picks.

Ridder likely will back up Kyler Murray. With the Falcons having signed Kirk Cousins, they’re looking to add depth pass catchers, with Moore a possibility to rotate in for some snaps.

Moore is only 5-foot-7, but with him having a 114-catch season at Purdue, the Cardinals decided to select him in the middle of the second round in 2021. They primarily lined him up in the slot, but never really got him going. For a while last year, it looked like he might finish the season with more yards rushing than receiving.

Moore caught 135 passes in three years with the Cardinals, but not enough of them went anywhere. He’s averaged only 8.9 yards per catch as a pro. In the last three years, 66 other wide receivers have caught at least 100 passes, and they’ve all averaged more yards per catch than Moore.

Maybe the Falcons will be able to use him more effectively, with him chipping in a notable play here and there. But I don’t see Moore as draftable right now. (I don’t expect he’ll be one of my top 100 wide receivers this summer.)

WIDE RECEIVERS, YARDS PER CATCH (last 3 years)
RkPlayerRecYdsAvgTD
1.George Pickens, Pitt.1151,94116.99
2.Gabe Davis, Buff.1282,13116.620
3.Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.2093,18315.220
4.Deebo Samuel, S.F.1932,92915.215
5.Darius Slayton, NYG1221,83315.08
6.Amari Cooper, Cle.2183,27515.022
7.A.J. Brown, Phil.2573,82114.923
8.Mike Evans, T.B.2303,41414.833
9.Nico Collins, Hou.1502,22414.811
10.Justin Jefferson, Min.3044,49914.823
11.Donovan Peoples-Jones, 2TM1081,59114.76
12.Tee Higgins, Cin.1902,77614.618
13.Mike Williams, LAC1582,29014.514
14.Puka Nacua, LAR1051,48614.26
15.Terry McLaurin, Was.2333,24613.914
16.DeVante Parker, N.E.1041,44813.95
17.JaMarr Chase, Cin.2683,71713.929
18.Josh Reynolds, Det.1071,48313.910
19.Jerry Jeudy, Den.1592,19713.88
20.Chris Olave, N.O.1592,16513.69
21.Tyreek Hill, Mia.3494,74813.629
22.DK Metcalf, Sea.2313,12913.526
23.DJ Moore, Chi.2523,40913.519
24.Jaylen Waddle, Mia.2513,38513.518
25.DeVonta Smith, Phil.2403,17813.219
26.Christian Kirk, Jac.2182,87713.216
27.Tyler Lockett, Sea.2363,10213.122
28.Courtland Sutton, Den.1812,37713.114
29.CeeDee Lamb, Dall.3214,21013.127
30.Allen Lazard, NYJ1231,61213.115
31.DeAndre Hopkins, Ten.1812,34613.018
32.Kalif Raymond, Det.1301,68112.95
33.Davante Adams, L.V.3264,21312.933
34.Kendrick Bourne, N.E.1271,64012.910
35.Darnell Mooney, Chi.1521,96212.97
36.Drake London, Atl.1411,77112.66
37.Cooper Kupp, LAR2793,49612.527
38.Chase Claypool, 2TM1131,38812.34
39.Calvin Ridley, Jac.1071,29712.110
40.Stefon Diggs, Buff.3183,83712.129
41.Garrett Wilson, NYJ1782,14512.17
42.Michael Gallup, Dall.1081,28711.98
43.Josh Palmer, LAC1431,70311.99
44.Brandin Cooks, Dall.2012,39311.917
45.Nelson Agholor, Balt.1031,21611.89
46.Tyler Boyd, Cin.1922,25711.812
47.Elijah Moore, Cle.1391,62411.78
48.K.J. Osborn, Min.1581,84511.715
49.Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det.3153,58811.421
50.Diontae Johnson, Pitt.2442,76011.313
51.Marvin Jones, Det.1241,39611.37
52.Jakobi Meyers, L.V.2212,47711.216
53.Keenan Allen, LAC2803,13311.217
54.Chris Godwin, T.B.2853,15011.110
55.Marquise Brown, Ari.2092,29111.013
56.Robert Woods, Hou.1381,50910.97
57.Romeo Doubs, G.B.1011,09910.911
58.JuJu Smith-Schuster, N.E.1221,32210.84
59.Michael Pittman, Ind.2963,15910.714
60.Zay Jones, Jac.1631,69010.48
61.Adam Thielen, Car.2402,45610.220
62.Russell Gage, T.B.1171,19610.29
63.Hunter Renfrow, L.V.1641,6239.911
64.Curtis Samuel, Was.1321,2969.88
65.Allen Robinson, Pitt.1051,0299.84
66.Laviska Shenault, Car.1009519.51
67.Rondale Moore, Ari.1351,2018.93

—Ian Allan