Skyy Moore trade grades: 49ers take a risk, Chiefs own the regret

After three frustrating seasons for all parties involved, the Kansas City Chiefs officially ended Skyy Moore's tenure with the franchise by trading him to the San Francisco 49ers with one preseason game to go.

The trade of Moore resonates on several levels, from the shock of the deal to a heartening turn. Surprisingly, it's also a big win for all parties involved.

Let's look at the instant grades of the deal from each side, starting with the general manager who drafted Moore in the first place.

Chiefs grade: D / B

It feels weird to reward the Chiefs with a decent grade for trading Moore after drafting him in the first place, so we're handing out marks for both.

Moore was a second-round pick by the Chiefs, a top 50 player selected overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. The comparisons to George Pickens, whom general manager Brett Veach passed over, were always in play for Moore, as were the ascending careers of his draft mates. It was the Chiefs' best draft—perhaps ever—and Moore was the one major disappointment from the rookie class.

Moore would earn only 74 targets in three seasons, despite getting plenty of playing time in an era when K.C. desperately needed someone to step up in a thin WR corps. If not for some postseason heroics, the Chiefs' grade there would be an "F".

As for the trade, however, the fact that Veach got any value out of a player who was clearly not making the active roster is always a boost. The Niners and Chiefs will swap draft assets in 2027, so any payoff is two drafts out, but again, Moore was good as gone anyway.

49ers grade: B

For the 49ers, the Moore trade was about importing help at a position experiencing serious attrition heading into the regular season. Former Chiefs receiver Demarcus Robinson was suspended for three games to start the year. Jauan Jennings wants out. Brandon Aiyuk is on the shelf.

Taking a flyer on Moore is a respectable move with at least the promise of some surprising upside. The second-round pick just took an 88-yard kickoff return to the house in his last preseason appearance for the Chiefs, showing that he can bring some juice to the return game.

If Moore can ever overcome his mental hurdles, the Niners might even have something to brag about after this deal. But after watching a few years of mental miscues and drops, the Niners are likely just hoping for Moore to help on special teams.

Skyy Moore: Incomplete

Finally, it's important to acknowledge the change of scenery involved for Moore as a player in this deall. His stint in Kansas City quickly turned into a comedy of errors on the field, and injuries didn't help matters. The mental load cast a very real shadow, and sometimes it's best to hit the reset button.

For Moore to land with a team like the 49ers, and another creative head coach like Mike Shanahan, is potentially the best place to be outside of K.C. If he's ever going to blossom into something useful on offense in the NFL, Moore found the one place where it's likely to happen.