Joshua Moon has re-signed with the Stars for his third season with the team. The former Georgia Southern product hasn’t seen much playing time to this point. Could he be in line for a larger role in 2024?

Joshua Moon’s Resume

If we look back at Moon’s collegiate career he played early and often for GSU. He saw time in five games as a freshman, before taking over as a starter the following year. Starting 10 of 11 games, Moon played was all over the field to the tune of 71 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 interceptions. 

The following season he was limited to 7 starts in 10 games but managed to nearly match his statistics from the year prior. By the time he graduated he had 191 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 recovery. Moon is a workout warrior and it showed at his pro day where he put up NFL numbers across the board, except for one glaring category.

4.47 40-yard dash

2.59 20-yard

1.59 10-yard 

20 reps in the bench press

36 inch vertical

10’07 broad jump

The outlier: 7.34 3-cone drill 

This 3-cone drill while surprising on the surface should not have been a large concern given how well he did in every other area. Had he been playing cornerback, perhaps there needs to be more stock put into this facet of his game but given he plays safety, he won’t be asked to drop down and man cover as often which should cover up this one minor flaw in his game. 

Undrafted but Not Unwanted

After the draft he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played very well for a UDFA according to PFF.com. Playing in all four preseason games, on 93 snaps he saw time at both safety spots, in the slot, out wide at cornerback, and even rushed the passer a couple times but actually had his best game playing free safety against the Philadelphia Eagles. He ultimately graded out at a 68.8 overall. He didn’t miss a single tackle, and played fairly well in coverage. 

Ultimately Jacksonville let him go, and he spent time in The Spring League under Bart Andrus, and Brad Miller. Moon would see some NFL interest in 2021 signing with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle allowed him to play a lot during their preseason games, and this time he played way more in coverage than he had for Jacksonville. 

With 91 snaps in 2021 as opposed to 34 in 2019. He lined up in the box almost twice as much and saw more snaps in the slot as well. However he allowed 4 receptions on 5 targets and missed 2 tackles. This led to him being released in final cuts. He was not brought back on the practice squad. After the 2021 season concluded he entered the USFL draft eventually reuniting with his former TSL coaches, but this time to get paid to play. 

NFL Connections Could Pay Off

At this point in his NFL window is beginning to close but he’s still only 26 years old. If he plays well in an expanded role in 2024 perhaps we see some of his former NFL connections look his way. Dom Capers and Todd Wash spent time with him in Jacksonville, and now coach in Carolina. Mike Mallory was the assistant special teams coach and he’s now in Denver. Chris Polian the DPP that was part of signing him is in Washington where they’ve signed multiple USFL, and XFL players including fellow Star, Channing Stribling. 

A team to watch could be Chicago, where his former Defensive Passing Game Coordinator from Seatlle now coaches safeties. Deshawn Shead was also on that staff and now oversees defensive backs for Seattle. Larry Izzo was also there as an assistant special teams coordinator. We all know sometimes it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know, and Moon has plenty of connections that could prove valuable if he can earn more playing time in 2024.  

Stars Lose Diondre Overton

Free agency has already started to see some players change teams. The first free agent to leave the Stars is Diondre Overton. Overton has been primarily a depth piece for the Stars. The Stars are not a run heavy team, so even as the third/fourth receiver for the Stars the past two seasons he has seen a lot of action.

Overton spent the 2021 season in the Austrian Football League with the Vienna Vikings before ultimately seeing interest from the Stars in 2022. Playing in 6 games he started 5 games and ultimately caught 12 passes for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns averaging 16.7 yards per reception. In 2023 he stayed healthy all season and played in 10 games. He started 9 of them producing a career season.

In 2023 he was targeted 50 times, catching 30 passes for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. He now has signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers. This opens up 50 targets for injured players returning like Jordan Suell, and Chris Rowland, or players who had to wait for injuries last season to get in the line-up like Terry Wright, or Samuel Akem.

Free Agency is upon us, and it’s already getting interesting.