Unlike his father, Randy Moss, Thaddeus Moss didn’t hear his name called as a selection during the 2020 NFL Draft. Speaking with Redskins’ beats writers Wednesday in a Zoom press conference, the undrafted rookie tight end said not being drafted was a “slap in the face.”
“I put a lot of work in,” Moss said per JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington. “Years of football. We went undefeated and won a national championship. I played my best ball in our biggest games. So I definitely felt like it was a slap in the face not getting drafted, having kickers and punters and special teams guys picked over me.”
A total of 12 tight ends were selected in this year’s draft, including Moss’s college teammate Stephen Sullivan. Three kickers and two punters were also taken in the draft.
For Moss a Jones fracture discovered during the NFL Scouting Combine may have contributed to his drop in the draft. He underwent surgery for the issue about a week after the draft. He also had foot issues while at LSU that resulted in two surgeries in 2018.
Moss’s scouting report also notes his struggles to create separation from defenders and his lack of agility and speed.
As an undrafted free agent, Moss was free to sign a deal with any team. The Redskins called first, ahead of others, including the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals according to Moss.
The fact Washington called first is why he chose to sign with the Redskins.
Moss signing with the Redskins may have been the smart move after all. The Redskins are looking to revamp their tight end position after the retirement of Vernon Davis and the release of the oft-injured Jordan Reed.
Washington added Logan Thomas and Richard Rodgers in free agency to go along with Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges, however, each are unproven at this junction, giving Moss a legitimate opportunity to make the 53-man roster and an impact.
