Quentin Moore had a lot riding on his 2024 season.
After beginning his college career at Independence Community College in 2019, Quentin enrolled at the University of Washington in 2021. He waited for his chance to start behind future NFL players Cade Otton, Devin Culp, and Jack Westover, with the majority of his snaps coming on special teams with a few notable exceptions, including a 2-yard touchdown catch in the 2023 Pac-12 Championship game. That play looked like a springboard for a breakout season
when Quentin was named the starter heading into the 2024 season. The pressure to perform was amplified when the tight end learned he would be welcoming his first child in the coming months. Moore was poised to capitalize on his opportunity when disaster struck less than twenty-two minutes into UW’s season opener against Weber State.
After reeling in a pass from quarterback Will Rogers, Moore turned upfield before he was hit below the waist by a player entering the field illegally.
In an interview with Seattle Times reporter Andy Yamashita, Moore described the play.
“There was nobody, didn’t see anybody,” Moore said Tuesday, speaking for the first time since his injury. “So I caught the ball, turned my head. And the next thing I know, I looked to my left and there was a guy diving at my knee. Saw him a little too late. Didn’t get my knees up. And that was it from there.”
The big tight end suffered an MCL injury and damaged the cartilage behind his left kneecap. Moore would eventually have surgery and be ruled out for the season. After suffering several complications during his rehab, he returned to the field in 2025 only to be sidelined again with a concussion that sent him to the hospital. Through 40 games at the University of Washington with 10 starts, Moore finished with 13 catches for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. Modest numbers to say the least, but Quentin’s game is not centered around stats.
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Y/G | Att | Yds | TD | Y/G | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD | Awards |
| 2021 | Washington | Pac-12 | SO | TE | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2022* | Washington | Pac-12 | JR | TE | 11 | 5 | 61 | 12.2 | 0 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 61 | 12.2 | 0 | |
| 2023* | Washington | Pac-12 | JR | TE | 14 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 1 | |
| 2024* | Washington | Big Ten | SR | TE | 1 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | 14.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | |
| 2025* | Washington | Big Ten | SR | TE | 12 | 5 | 83 | 16.6 | 1 | 6.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 83 | 16.6 | 1 | |
| Career | 40 | 13 | 168 | 12.9 | 2 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 13 | 168 | 12.9 | 2 | |||||
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Moore is a powerful Y-type tight end with a dense frame. Kevin Potts provided more analysis in this draft profile from early April.
Moore is at his best as a gap-scheme blocker, where he can leverage his size and length. He fits into first contact with a thud to stop defender momentum and uses his power to wash them out of the play. He has good hand usage to take control and uses his long arms to dictate reps. As a move blocker, Moore is best when combo-ing up to the 2nd level. He works to backers with good timing and has the frame to seal them off when engaged. Once he is able to control a smaller defender, he is a nasty finisher who will drive targets into the dirt. Moore is also a capable pass protector with the anchor strength and wingspan to hold his own versus OLB on the edge.
Not considered overly athletic, a 4.7 40-yard dash, 7.14 three-cone, and 31 1/2″ vertical on his Pro Day indicate he has a shot to succeed as a blocking tight end in the NFL. Moore also has plus arm length, with a massive 81″ wingspan. Unfortunately, he started his career right before COVID, and the undrafted free agent is now 25 years old.
His fit in a crowded tight end room may be more apparent than some fans may think. After all, the Commanders signed Chigoziem Okonkwo in free agency to a three-year deal, John Bates has two years left on his current extension, and Ben Sinnott has two years remaining on his rookie contract. Colson Yankoff is proven to be a plus special teamer and is developing as a depth option. The team also brought back Lawrence Cager on a reserve/futures contract and he has been mentioned by Dan Quinn during the offseason. David Blough’s former Lions’ practice squad teammate, Anthony Firsker, was also signed this week.
While this is a solid group, outside of John Bates, they do not have a true in-line blocking tight end. Last season, the Commanders utilized a sixth offensive lineman occasionally, with Trent Scott stepping into the role, but the thirty-two-year-old lineman is on the roster bubble this offseason. The Commanders are also expected to see an uptick in multiple tight end sets under David Blough’s direction and are clearly bringing in extra players for practice and depth. Moore could carve out a spot on the practice squad as a blocking specialist behind Bates. John’s cap number will double to $10.8 million next season, and the team will have a decision to make on his future. It may be beneficial to have another Y-type tight end in the building already.
The odds of even making the practice squad are long, and there is no question that luck hasn’t been in his favor in the past, but Quentin Moore has proven two things in his career already. He is not going to give up easily, and when his number is finally called, he will be ready.
