Across three NFL autumns, Chris Moore has yet to eclipse 50 receptions or 500 yards receiving for his career as a receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.
There is a promise of a new day in Baltimore as it relates to the offense, however.
Lamar Jackson is the franchise quarterback, Greg Roman has the reins as offensive coordinator and Moore is being viewed as a top contender to break through in 2019.
Said owner Steve Bisciotti via the team website: "I wouldn't be surprised to see Chris Moore being a breakout candidate."
Added head coach John Harbaugh: "It's up to the player to make the move and do something about it. But I would say Chris is ready to do that and has been ready to do that. He practices really hard, he works hard in the weight room, he knows the offense very well, and he makes spectacular catches out here very often."
Why now? After three seasons, Moore's most impressive slate as a receiver came in his second year of 2017. He had four starts -- the only starts he's had with the Ravens -- and produced career-highs of 38 catches, 248 yards receiving and three receiving touchdowns. All those numbers came via a career-high 38 targets.
"Whenever I was called, I was trying to go in and just make plays," Moore said. "You always want more opportunities as a receiver, so that's what I'm going to be more excited about going into this next year, [is] just getting the consistent opportunity to make plays as a receiver."
It's his ability and willingness within the world of special teams that has truly been his calling card, as Moore has produced a pair of touchdowns off blocked punts, he's excelled as a gunner and has averaged 23.8 yards per 42 kickoff returns over his three years.
Now, however, Moore is being slated -- early as it may be -- as one of the Ravens' top three wideouts along with 2019 first-round choice "Hollywood" Brown and Willie Snead.
"I've been working," Moore said. "I've always had some vets in front of me, but this year I'm the vet. Shoot, I'm one of the oldest guys in the room. So, it's my opportunity to step up and make the plays and show these guys why I'm here."
While Moore's numbers wouldn't necessarily be a clue to future production, the guarantee of a starting slot and/or more targets certainly would.
The former fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati has a knack for coming up with highlight-reel catches and as the Ravens' offense is predicted to be run-heavy with the fleet feet of Jackson combining with the newly acquired Mark Ingram, Moore's make-up certainly lends itself to a receiver who will not have problems blocking.
After all, Moore was adamant that no matter how much of an increased role he takes on as a receiver, he remains a contributor on special teams.
"I don't want to be one of the receivers that starts and doesn't play any special teams," Moore said. "I want to do everything, because I feel like I can make an impact whenever I'm on the field."
Maybe the definition of a breakout season needs to be analyzed when it comes to Moore.
Prognosticating that any of the Ravens receivers will have huge years numbers-wise is likely unrealistic. For Moore, though, who by all accounts has made the most of every down he's been on the field, breaking out might simply be in regards to the number of plays he's on the field and whether that's blocking, receiving or making plays on special teams, he's already displayed a knack for making an impact.
