Earlier this month, D.J. Moore signed the richest annual contract extension in Chicago Bears’ history. This new four-year deal gives him contract security and helps to solidify his long-term dynasty value. In this article, we will look at his current value and how you should value him moving forward in Chicago. Without further ado, let’s dive in:
D.J. Moore: The Player
Moore came to the NFL as a first-round pick from the University of Maryland. Moore chose to leave College Park early on the heels of a breakout Junior campaign where he put up an 80/1,033/8 stat line. The talented playmaker was the engine that drove the Terps offense. Check out his Junior highlights below, and you will see why he catapulted up draft boards. In particular, please pay attention to how he plays after the catch.
Moore would go on to have an excellent showing at the NFL Combine. He showed excellent athletic measurables, leaving teams with strong impressions of his wonderful personality. D.J. Moore’s quite confident demeanor helped him throughout the interview process. That, combined with his performance, helped him become the Panthers’ first-round selection.
Moore has been a fairly consistent player since arriving in the NFL. The former first-round pick averaged 73 receptions for 1,040 yards and 4 touchdowns across his five years in Charlotte. However, he was forced to deal with a slew of underwhelming quarterbacks. From Sam Darnold to Teddy Bridgewater and even Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position.
A New Day In Chicago
This struggle led the team to make a desperate play to fix the position. They made a major deal to trade up with the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. The Panthers sent D.J. Moore and a slew of picks to the Chicago Bears to draft former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
In his first season in the Windy City, Moore exploded. Playing with embattled starting QB Justin Fields, Moore set career bests across the board. He continued to show the amazing run-after-catch ability that made him a first-round selection earlier in his career. His numbers were good enough to finish as the overall WR6. He was also the overall WR8 from a points-per-game standpoint, averaging 17.3 PPR points per game.
DJ Moore had a career year in 2023
— Ficky (@itsfickybaby) March 30, 2024
– 96 rec
– 1,364 yards
– 9 TDs
Here is a thread recapping every TD starting with my favorite one 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/qYrnX6sT99
Despite having the best season of his career, Moore’s value was pushed down this offseason amongst the dynasty community. Many saw the trade for All-Pro WR Keenan Allen and the drafting of Rome Odunze as a bad sign for Moore’s potential production moving forward. Here at Dynasty Nerds, we have Moore ranked as WR18 overall. That is too low in my opinion.
D.J. Moore’s Dynasty Value
Moving forward, Moore will have much more help from his teammates. He may see fewer targets with the arrival of Allen and Odunze. However, the presence of his new teammates and a pair of talented TEs and RBs means he should see better-quality targets. Teams will no longer be allowed to stack their coverage around Moore without the threat of being eaten alive elsewhere on the field. Dig in a little further, and you will notice that Allen is on a one-year deal and, at 32 years old, may well be one-and-done with the Bears.
Moore’s new mega-contract also ensures that he will be a Chicago Bear for the prime of his career. Moore is the seventh highest-paid WR in the entire NFL. He is being spent with among the likes of Tyreek Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Justin Jefferson. With a deal like that and play like he has put on the field, the Chicago Bears will make him a focal point of the offensive scheme.
The Bears have also upgraded at the QB position by adding former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Caleb Williams. The early returns have been encouraging. Despite campaigning for the Bears to keep Fields after the 2023 season, Moore has done a fine job establishing a connection with his new QB. Moore was literally on the receiving end of Williams’ first-ever NFL completion.
Caleb Williams on 3rd-and-12. Already a great in-pocket progression, quiet feet, and strike to D.J. Moore on the backside.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 11, 2024
The Bills really muddied up the post-snap picture against him, even though it’s “just the preseason.” pic.twitter.com/eKSDg6pNa0
When it comes to his trade market, Moore represents an excellent value. While searching through the Dynasty Nerds trade browser, you can find him for as little as a 2025 first and second in some leagues. I would also be willing to take Moore and a mid-round pick for Waddle. At that price, sign me up anywhere. Moore is only 27 and is now tied to an elite QB prospect. He will be the WR1 on his team and an elite playmaker.
Final Thoughts
If history indicates his potential moving forward, D.J. Moore will be no worse than a WR2 in fantasy points per game. He has succeeded in far worse situations than what Chicago presents heading into 2024. I am more than happy to capitalize on any trepidation that dynasty managers feel due to the additions Chicago has made in the pass-catching department this offseason. Take advantage of any discount your league mates may be willing to give. I, for one, do not see managers being disappointed with the result on the field.
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