Beyond his own individual play that he brings week in and week out, Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Kenny Moore will be a key player when it comes to maximizing this new-look defense under Lou Anarumo.

“He brings some of the things I’m used to with Mike Hilton,” Anarumo said of Moore. “Some of their style is similar. Kenny is a good blitzer, he can guard guys in the slot, he’s been a take the ball away guy. And then his instincts and just being around, things happen fast in the slot. He’s being doing it for a long time.”

Within Anarumo’s scheme, former Cincinnati Bengals‘ cornerback Mike Hilton had been one of the more productive nickel defenders in the NFL in recent years. This includes holding opponents to under 9.0 yards per catch over the last two years and totaling three interceptions and six pass breakups.

Moore, meanwhile, has provided stability in the Colts‘ secondary over the years, even when there has been inconsistency around him. He has played over 1,000 snaps in four of the last five seasons, and in 2024, he came away with three interceptions while limiting pass catchers to 9.1 yards per catch.

Moore was recently listed among the top cornerbacks heading into the 2025 season on PFF’s rankings.

Moore’s impact on this defense, however, will go well beyond his own column on the stat sheet. Under Anarumo, this is going to be a much more disguise-heavy Colts’ secondary.

So, having Moore, who can play both inside and out, be a box defender, blitz, and help out in the run game, not to mention his ability to communicate pre-snap, will only enhance the defense’s ability to disguise coverages.

Where Moore is lined up when the quarterback is under center vs. where he is when the quarterback hits the top of this drop could be completely different. This can then keep opposing quarterbacks and offenses off balance and guessing, which leads to hesitation.

But in order to have that disguise-heavy element be present, versatile defenders and those defenders being able to handle a variety of responsibilities are a must, and Moore certainly provides that.

“Just his overall communication, his calm demeanor, will help some of the young guys that may have to play,” Anarumo added. “A lot of arrows up with Kenny. I’m a big fan.”

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts CB Kenny Moore will play key role in maximizing new-look defense