Every year, there’s a training camp body or two that fans latch onto. It could be the underdog story, the school logo, or just a couple of decent training camp reps that suddenly convince fans there’s a real shot at something bigger. But for T.J. Moore, the hope is already flickering—and it hasn’t even started yet.
Moore was a tryout player at New York Giants' rookie minicamp. He earned a contract. On the surface, it's a pretty good deal. Like, great for an undrafted guy. According to Spotrac, New York gave him a three-year deal worth $2.96 million... but only $1,000 guaranteed. One. Thousand. Dollars. Tell me you’re not long for the roster without telling me.
In the wake of rookie minicamp, the Giants signed tryout cornerback T.J. Moore among a series of roster moves ⤵️
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) May 12, 2025
📰: https://t.co/lCKm0BjtUY pic.twitter.com/3RIOr0rlLT
That’s brutal, especially considering how productive Moore was in college. He was the best defensive player Mercer has produced in its modern football history. Unanimous All-American, Buck Buchanan runner-up, seven picks last year, and an FCS tape loaded with instincts, athleticism, and well-timed ball skills. Even with all those skills, the league clearly isn’t losing sleep over what he did at Mercer.
Making Mercer proud might not get T.J. Moore through training camp
Whether the G-Men view him as a corner or a potential safety convert, Moore is looking at a depth chart stacked with names ahead of him. Paulson Adebo, Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins III, and seventh-round pick Korie Black all stand in his way at corner.
If the staff tries to get creative and sneak him into the safety battle, well... good luck there too. The Giants have Jevón Holland, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, and a small army of special teamers and UDFAs also fighting for a shot in the NFL.
Moore isn’t without talent. He can fly. He’s twitchy. He’s aggressive and disruptive when he’s playing on schedule. But that “when” is carrying a lot of weight. Discipline and consistency are going to define whatever chance he has of surviving past the first round of cuts, and even then, the best-case scenario might still be a practice squad stash.
His tape was good. The testing numbers are better than most of the DBs on the back half of this roster. But the guaranteed money tells you all you need to know. Unless he turns training camp into his own personal highlight reel, Moore’s uphill battle probably ends the way most do—quietly and swiftly.