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21. Nat Moore

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It is easy to think of Nat Moore as just a compiler, but he compiled a lot! 

Born in Florida, he played at the University of Florida after a stop at Tennessee-Martin, then spent his entire 13-year career with the Miami Dolphins. The team drafted him in the third round in 1974, and he stayed through 1986, which meant Florida fans watched him for more than a decade from college through the end of his pro career.

He arrived as a versatile option who could catch passes, return kicks, and even take a few carries. Early on, he worked with Bob Griese and quickly became one of the more reliable targets on an offense still transitioning after the early-1970s dynasty. As a rookie, he led the team in receiving yards while also handling return duties, showing the range the Dolphins expected from him. He never put up a 1,000-yard season, but he was consistent enough to clear 600 yards seven different times.

The clear peak came in 1977. That year he caught 52 passes for 765 yards, led the NFL with 12 touchdown receptions, and earned both the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro. It was the one season where he was the primary weapon, and the touchdown total still stands out as the best individual year of his career. After that, he remained a solid contributor even as the offense changed, and once Dan Marino arrived, he became one of the veteran receivers who could still get open and make plays while helping younger wideouts settle in.

Moore finished with 510 receptions for 7,546 yards and 74 touchdowns, plus another 1,155 yards on returns. He played in 183 games and started 124 of them, all with Miami. The Dolphins chose him for their Honor Roll in 1999.

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The Bullet Points

  • Position: Kick Returner, Wide Receiver
  • Acquired: Selected in the 3rd Round, 78th Overall in the NFL Draft 1/29/74.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1986 Season.
  • Games Played: 183
  • Notable Statistics:

    124 Games Started
    510 Receptions
    7,546 Receiving Yards
    74 Receiving Touchdowns
    40 Rushing Attempts
    249 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown
    1 Pass Completion
    2 Passing Attempts
    31 Passing Yards
    27 Punt Returns
    297 Punt Return Yards
    33 Kick Returns
    858 Kick Return Yards
    102 Approximate Value

    14 Playoff Games
    6 Playoff Games Started
    23 Receptions
    291 Receiving Yards
    3 Receiving Touchdowns
    1 Rushing Attempt
    7 Rushing Yards
    3 Punt Returns
    29 Punt Return Yards
    4 Kick Returns
    149 Kick Return Yards
    1 Kick Return Touchdown

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Pro (1977)
    Pro Bowl (1977)
    All-Rookie (1974)
    NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (1985)
    Most Touchdown Receptions (1977)

Last modified on Saturday, 31 October 2026 02:31
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