Elijah Moore’s Fantasy Profile: The Browns WR Is Not Worth Drafting

Two short years ago, Elijah Moore was coming off a strong finish to his rookie campaign and poised to make a significant sophomore-year leap. Instead, he fell out of favor with the Jets and was traded to the Browns after the season.

Following a largely ineffective year, is there any potential for Moore to restore his fantasy football value this season?

Should You Select Elijah Moore at His Current ADP?

PPR Industry Consensus ADP: 330th Overall (WR104)

• Disappointing 2023 Season: Despite seeing over 100 targets, Moore’s production in 2023 was underwhelming, with just 59 catches for 640 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game, finishing as WR61.
• Lack of Prioritization: Moore was not a focal point in the Browns’ offense, as evidenced by his 18.9% target rate per route run (62nd in the league) and 1.16 yards per route run (75th). His 6.2 yards per target ranked 88th, indicating inefficiency in his opportunities.
• Limited Upside: While Moore had a couple of games with 15.4 and 17.1 fantasy points, his overall inconsistency and lack of significant production make it hard to trust him moving forward. With Amari Cooper and David Njoku ahead of him in the target hierarchy, Moore’s role is likely diminished further.
• Quarterback Concerns: Deshaun Watson’s struggles last season add to the concerns, as it’s questionable whether he can support more than Cooper and Njoku as fantasy-relevant assets. This limits Moore’s potential even more.
• ADP Analysis: Moore is currently being drafted around WR114, meaning he’s not on most fantasy radars. While I have him slightly higher at WR85, he remains a fringe option unlikely to be drafted in standard leagues.
• Final Verdict: Drafting Moore is not advisable, given his low standing in the Browns’ offense and the lack of compelling reasons to expect a resurgence. He would only become relevant if multiple injuries occur to the Browns’ pass-catchers before the season starts.

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PFN Consensus PPR Fantasy Ranking for Elijah Moore

Note that these rankings are the PFN Consensus Rankings and may not fully match my analysis. Since Moore is ranked outside the top 75 in the PFN Consensus Rankings, we’ve listed the consensus WR rankings instead. 

70) Ricky Pearsall, WR | San Francisco 49ers
71) Xavier Legette, WR | Carolina Panthers
72) Quentin Johnston, WR | Los Angeles Chargers
73) Malachi Corley, WR | New York Jets
74) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR | New York Giants
75) Elijah Moore, WR | Cleveland Browns
76) Zay Jones, WR | Arizona Cardinals
77) Troy Franklin, WR | Denver Broncos
78) Rashod Bateman, WR | Baltimore Ravens
79) Odell Beckham Jr., WR | Miami Dolphins
80) Rondale Moore, WR | Atlanta Falcons

Moore’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 Fantasy Season

When looking at Moore’s 2023 performance, the first thing that jumped out at me was the fact that he saw over 100 targets. Given his final numbers of 59 catches for 640 yards and two touchdowns, that was quite surprising to see.

Sadly, Moore’s better-than-expected volume didn’t translate into fantasy production. He averaged a mere 7.8 fantasy points per game, finishing as the overall WR61.

Despite Moore seeing over 100 targets, he clearly wasn’t a priority in the Browns’ offense. Moore was targeted on just 18.9% of his routes run, 62nd in the league. His 1.16 yards per route run was 75th, and his 6.2 yards per target was 88th.

If there are any positives to take away from Moore’s 2023 performance, it’s that he did display some upside.

Moore posted two games of 15.4 and 17.1 fantasy points. He also had a game with 12 targets (although he only caught four of them).

At 24 years old, I’m not ready to completely shut the door on Moore’s career. With that said, there aren’t many compelling reasons to be bullish on Moore having any fantasy value in 2024.

Last year, Moore was the Browns’ WR2. While I am no fan of Jerry Jeudy as a talent, he’s going to be ahead of Moore in the target hierarchy. With Amari Cooper locked in as the top guy and David Njoku second, that puts Moore fourth, at best.

Given how poorly quarterback Deshaun Watson played last season, I am not optimistic he is capable of supporting more than Cooper and Njoku as fantasy-relevant assets.

Is Moore a Good Value in Fantasy Drafts?

Moore’s ADP is currently WR114. He is nowhere close to being drafted in fantasy leagues. Even in deep leagues, fantasy managers aren’t looking at Moore.

I have Moore at WR85. While it may seem like I am above consensus on him, any wide receiver outside the top 72 is unlikely to be drafted. At that point in the rankings, it’s just personal preference as there is very little distinguishing between undrafted wide receivers.

It’s very difficult to envision a scenario in which anyone should draft Moore. There would need to be at least one injury, if not two, to the Browns’ pass-catchers in between the time you read this and your fantasy drafts.