Skyy Moore has been traded from the Chiefs to the San Francisco 49ers in a late-round pick swap. Here’s what the Skyy Moore trade means for the 49ers depth chart, how Kyle Shanahan can use him, contract/roster context, and what to expect next—all in one.
Quick Hits (What Happened & Why It Matters)
- The move: The Kansas City Chiefs are trading WR Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers in a swap of 2027 late-round picks (49ers send a sixth; Chiefs send a seventh), pending Moore’s physical.
- Why now: The 49ers’ WR room is banged up/suspended, prompting immediate help before final preseason cuts and the opener.
- The fit: Moore was a 2022 second-rounder with speed, YAC chops, and gadget versatility—traits that can translate in Kyle Shanahan’s motion-heavy scheme. (Depth-chart fit pieces already suggest he could see snaps as soon as Week 1 if healthy.)
The Trade Details, Clean and Simple
Terms (reported):
- 49ers receive: WR Skyy Moore + 2027 seventh-round pick
- Chiefs receive: 2027 sixth-round pick
- Status: Pending physical; multiple outlets logged the same structure.
This is classic low-risk, upside hunting. A late-round swap caps the cost, and San Francisco gets a potential role player who was squeezed out of a crowded Chiefs room.
The Injury/Suspension Crunch Driving 49ers News
The 49ers didn’t make this move in a vacuum. Their WR group has been thinned by injuries and a suspension, making “Sky Moore trade” a predictable headline for late August. Reports note issues for Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring), Jordan Watkins (ankle), and a three-game suspension for Demarcus Robinson, leaving rookie Ricky Pearsall and veteran Russell Gage as the most available options.
Even if some of those players are day-to-day, the timeline (roster cutdowns and a September 7 opener) compresses recovery windows. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has also emphasized practicing before the opener—another nudge to add a healthy body with pro reps.
Skyy Moore: The Prospect, The Production, The Reset
- Draft profile: 2022 second-round pick with burst, short-area quickness, and slot/jet-sweep versatility.
- Career to date: 43 receptions, 494 yards, 1 TD in 36 games; 2024 season cut short by a core-muscle injury.
- Fresh start logic: Sometimes “failure” in Kansas City is context: usage, timing, health, and a moving target at WR. San Francisco gives Moore a schematic runway (motion, bunch, stack releases) and defined packages that play to his strengths.
What went wrong in KC?
- Role clarity: KC cycled through WR combinations; Moore’s snaps/targets never stabilized.
- Health: The 2024 core injury erased any chance to re-establish momentum.
- Crowded room pressure: In 2025, the Chiefs’ WR competition left little margin if a veteran or rookie popped.
Why it could work in SF
- Pre-snap motion: Shanahan deploys motion as a weapon—ideal for giving smaller WRs free releases.
- Horizontal stress: Jet touch/ghost motion orbit plays create easy YAC chances.
- Defined game plans: Weekly role scripting (shot plays, red-zone rubs, choice routes) can squeeze value out of niche skill sets.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
49ers Depth Chart: Where Does Skyy Moore Slot In?
Baseline WR structure when healthy:
- WR1: Brandon Aiyuk
- WR2: Jauan Jennings
- WR3/WR4: Ricky Pearsall / Demarcus Robinson (after suspension)
- Depth/roles: Russell Gage, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins
Short-term reality (injuries/suspension): Moore projects for immediate competition in slot/Z snaps, return duties, and package plays (jet, orbit, tunnel screens). Early reporting hints he could dress Week 1 depending on health and install speed.
For live roster context, keep an eye on ESPN’s 49ers depth chart page as it updates post-trade and post-cuts.
Here’s what the 49ers are getting with Skyy Moore. https://t.co/F9j2RENRsA https://t.co/BhEBaQ5ob6 pic.twitter.com/df4DpCkXxY
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 21, 2025
How Shanahan Could Use Him (Tactical Deep-Dive)
- Motion & Mesh:
Use Moore as the motion point in mesh and dagger concepts—forcing DBs to navigate traffic and opening quick hitters for Brock Purdy. - Jet/Orbit Series:
Marry inside zone with jet sweeps. The 49ers love eye candy; Moore’s speed makes linebackers widen, lightening boxes for Christian McCaffrey. - Choice/Option from the Slot:
Give Moore a two-way go versus leverage—especially on 3rd-and-short—complementing Aiyuk’s intermediate isolation. - Screen Game & RPOs:
Bubble/tunnel screens with Trent Williams/Brandon Aiyuk blocking on the edge can turn 3 yards into 12. RPO glances create free access throws. - Red-Zone Rubs & Stacks:
Reduce press exposure with stacks/bunches; create rub opportunities on whip/arrow routes.
Risk, Reward, and Reasonable Expectations
Floor: Package player/WR4 with return value; if injuries heal quickly, Moore could settle into 10–20% snap share with 2–3 designed touches per game.
Median: Rotational slot/Z who logs 30–40 catches in Shanahan’s RAC-friendly structure, especially if he earns Purdy’s trust on hot and scramble-drill rules.
Ceiling: If injuries linger—and Moore pops—he can push into WR3 snaps while Robinson serves his suspension, with scripted touches, motion-based leverage, and occasional shot plays off play-action.