Concerns About Notre Dame Cornerback Leonard Moore

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore has a consensus top-10 grade (NFL Mock Draft Database), but I am not feeling that valuation on his 2025 game film.

Did Moore look the part?

Yes.

Did Moore throw up good numbers last season?

Yes.

– 7 passes defended

– 5 Interceptions

So what’s the problem then?

When I watch his 2025 college tape with my NFL-colored glasses, I do not get excited.

That’s a bad sign.

What’s holding me back?

Moore excels at covering traditional straight-line vertical routes. He combines his height, long arms, physicality, and speed with leverage to overshadow receivers like a storm cloud along the sidelines.

He’s good at covering no-nonsense straight-line horizontal routes (crossing routes) for the same reason.

Moore uses his hands well to guide him at “expected” route breakpoints, like on anticipated slant routes.

He can do all of that.

The problem is when receivers have unanticipated breakpoints and give him unexpected moves.

In those situations⎯

He gave up too much separation.

Why is that a BIG NFL CONCERN?

Receivers at the next level are only faster and more polished.

Reluctance

I also am not thrilled about this…

There is a very real reluctance to Moore’s “game.”

It shows up in pass-and-run support.

“Want” is the single most important trait I look for in prospects.

Let’s put it this way⎯

Moore had a higher level of want vs. Stanford than he did the rest of the season.

That stood out.

Tackling woes

This is another concern⎯

Moore is NOT a dependable tackler.

Missed tackles showed up on tape. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he had a 17.9% missed tackling percentage.

Moore tends to come in high on tackling attempts, and there is a slight tightness in his hips that showed up when he was trying to make quick adjustments in space.

Coverage reps vs. non-coverage reps

The thing is⎯

Moore did not get “tested” a whole lot.

Opponents showed him respect.

But, to back up what I’ve been saying, Moore does give up his share of catches. According to PFF, Moore was targeted 48 times in 2025, and he gave up 26 catches (54.2% catch rate). In other words, he gave up the catch more than half the time in coverage.

But he looked good on reps when the ball wasn’t coming his way. He covered people like a blanket in those situations.

At this point in his evaluation process…

The jury is still out.

It will all depend on how badly he wants it in 2026…

All I can do as an evaluator is mitigate the risk accordingly.

#15 Leonard Moore 6-foot-2, 197 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: Fourth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of September 14, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Miami, Texas A&M, Boise State, NC State, USC, Boston College, Navy, Pitt, Syracuse, and Stanford (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Moore missed two games with a high ankle sprain

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Prospect with key inconsistencies. “Best fits” a man-coverage scheme. Has very real limitations in man. More of a cover corner rather than a complete corner. Lines up outside and inside. Can jam in press man. Inconsistent support in off-man and zone. Seems to understand assignments in all three coverage schemes. Handsy. Technique leaves something to be desired. Shows short-area recovery speed. Mediocre-looking when blitzing. Ends up around the pile a lot in support.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Effort level?

2. How does he look against the unexpected?

3. Dependable tackler?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.