The Houston Texans made the phone call to Rahim Moore to come to play for their defense and be a day one starter. According to Moore, it was a no brainer for him to come to Houston to be part of the Texans.

We wanted to take a closer look at Moore and what he could bring to the Texans After combining over his 2014 film with the Denver Broncos, we tried to figure out his strengths and weaknesses coming to Houston.

One key thing to remember about more is that he was drafted by the Broncos in 2011 in the second round at the age of 21 out of UCLA. Moore just turned 25 after his fourth season in the NFL in February. There is still room for Moore to grow as a player, and only at the age of 25 he is still heading into his prime years as a NFL player.

The Rundown

What He Brings

Moore comes from an athletic secondary in Denver and he was the safety blanket for a defense that played aggressive in front of him in coverage. He kept the deep ball under control and quarterbacks were very aware of when Moore was on the field. In some instances when Moore was out of the game in certain defensive sets, offenses were more willing to test the vertical game.

His ability to cover ground and accelerate to get to his spots on the field is eye opening. That is one thing he will bring to the Texans defense a true free safety that cornerbacks can depend on over the top in coverage.

Ball Skills

His ball tracking skills still need work but he puts himself into good position when the ball is in the air. Learning how to finish when the ball is in the air is going to be the next step for the free safety. His ability to read routes and especially the quarterbacks’ eyes is an underrated skill of his. He had four interceptions in 2014 and eight in his four-year stint with the Broncos.

Coverage Skills

He was asked to play man coverage in the slot, Cover-Two and was primarily as the deep safety in the Broncos man free look. He struggles in man coverage and is shows when he is in space being turned around at times and being over aggressive. He makes his money in cover-two and man free with his ability to roam sideline to sideline.

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Tackling

One issue that will be needed to straightened out when he gets with the Texans. Moore has missed 33 tackles in 60 career games. He is physical when he wants to be but he loses his eyes, by looking down, prior to contact. He is able to run the alley his run fits, but his angles to the ball carrier can be questionable in pursuit to the football.

There is not much wrapping up ball carriers on contact and will have want to become a better tackler with the Texans.

Injury History

Moore had a scare in 2013, when he developed a lower leg issue that almost resulted in him losing his leg. He was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome and the acute version to be exact. With multiple surgeries to clean out dead muscle in his leg, he started his long trek back to the football field. He missed the final six games of the 2013 regular season and the playoffs, but came back in 2014 to play the entire season. Some said he lost a step from his absence, but he will be another season removed from that scary situation.

Final Thoughts

Rahim Moore has everything you want from a skill standpoint for a defense that needs a free safety. The Texans secondary coach John Butler and safety coach Anthony Midget will have their work cut out to refine the game of Moore.

This is a similar situation to when the Texans signed then free agent Kendrick Lewis from the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a below average tackler with some coverage skills and the defensive staff coached him up into an above average safety.

Now the Texans will turn to a younger player in Moore to make that transition and even though Moore is rough around the edges, his range as a free safety will help stop the vertical game the defense had trouble controlling in 2014.

All-22 Clips

Moore is able to fill here, covers ground to make a sure tackle.

Moore is reading the quarterback the entire way. Plants, drives and get the tipped pass for the interception.

Moore reads the slant inside to his area from the #2 receiver. Jumps the passing lane and forces the quarterback to come off his initial read and scramble.

Moore reads this perfectly but turns down the contact. Something he has to improve on with the Texans.

Moore shows his ability to read the quarterback and play both the #2 receiver underneath to the #1 receiver over the top. Takes away the initial read once again.

Moore shows his acceleration to stop a potential big play. Can see his ability to diagnose the play and get to the point of attack coming downhill in a hurry.

Poor angle by Moore if the pass is caught, but Moore understands where he is supposed to be in man free.

Moore does his run fit perfect but loses his eyes prior to contact. Another example of Moore having to improve his run game tackling inside the box.

Now Moore wants to be physical. Quick trigger and coming downhill to provide run support from the secondary.

Watch how steady Moore is in man free. Watching the quarterback the entire time keeping in position to react to receivers coming at him. Smooth in transition while keeping everything in front of him.

Moore can cover ground with his speed. He is filling the pursuit from the far hash to keep this pass to a five-yard gain.

Moore once again loses his eyes on contact. He is perfect with his run fit but does not finish the play.

Moore shows he can play the run. Here Moore sees his target and finishes the play.

More covering ground again in a hurry. Watch him make a him stop a potential big play.

Moore is out of control in the middle of the field. He is dropping his eyes again prior to tackling.

Moore in coverage. Jumps the route but over runs the play by anticipating a pass to the boundary.

Moore is turned around in man coverage.

Moore getting down hill for his run fits. (Previous two vines)

This is where Moore makes his money. Starts on the far hash and is able to get over the top of a nine route outside the numbers for an interception.

Moore is reading the quarterback. He instantly knows where the pass is headed. Look at the drive on the drive to intercept the pass.