Once a popular breakout candidate, WR Elijah Moore is looking to revitalize his career as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Is 2023 finally the season where Moore emerges as a reliable fantasy football WR? Let’s take a closer look.
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Elijah Moore’s Fantasy Outlook for the 2023 NFL Season
The football overlords who arrange the QB-WR marriages haven’t been very kind to Moore to start his NFL career.
The starting triumvirate of Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White under center didn’t exactly put Moore in the best position to generate consistent fantasy production his first two seasons.
However, the Jets decided they were ready to part ways with Moore and decided to trade him to the Cleveland Browns. Many fantasy analysts — myself included — are quick to point out that Garrett Wilson is getting a significant upgrade at QB from Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers.
Well, wouldn’t the same exact narrative apply to Elijah Moore? Deshaun Watson is a significant upgrade under center over Zach Wilson. When you look at the rookie production on a per-game basis between Moore and Garrett Wilson, you realize pretty quickly that both proved capable of producing with poor QB play.
Garrett Wilson rookie season fantasy PPG in PPR formats:Â 12.6
Elijah Moore rookie season fantasy PPG in PPR formats:Â 12.5
Wilson is currently being drafted in the second round, while Moore is being drafted in the 10th.
You should exercise caution when being too quick to dismiss Moore as a breakout WR candidate, the man is still a very talented football player and could thrive in a better situation.
#Browns WR Elijah Moore was covered well by Denzel Ward—but Deshaun Watson showed off their connection with a perfectly placed ball.
Great play. The offense thought so too. pic.twitter.com/Fti1HVh7OH
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice)
Now, for those you that will say Wilson is a much better player than Moore and he is the clear-cut WR1 on his team… yes, I understand that.
My greater point is that Moore proved he is just as capable as being a productive fantasy WR as Wilson with the same exact poor QB play. The fact you can get him eight rounds later on draft day is staggering to me.
Is Moore a Good Fantasy Pick?
Watson had to knock off some of the rust after his 700-day hiatus from playing in an NFL game. But Cleveland’s offense certainly has the capability of taking a big step forward in 2023.
As of now, Moore’s biggest threats to targets outside of Amari Cooper are Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku. You can make a case that Moore’s game is far more versatile than any pass catcher not named Amari Cooper.
MORE: 2023 Fantasy Player Projections
Moore can win whether he’s lined up outside or in the slot. He has the top speed to threaten defenders vertically, and he has the suddenness to beat press coverage and create separation at the top of his routes.
Moore is a great buy at his current ADP.
- PFN Consensus Rankings: 93rd overall
- ADP: 112th overall
