Heading into last Thursday night, I wasn’t sure what the Jets planned to do with their rookie wide receiver. His usage had been inconsistent, and he looked to be buried on the depth chart. But after the Thursday night game, I can confidently say to fantasy football managers: Go get Elijah Moore off the Week 10 waiver wire.
Elijah Moore’s time is upon us
Moore’s rookie arc is nothing out of the ordinary. The Jets threw him onto the first team in Weeks 1 and 2. He wasn’t ready, so they scaled back his usage. Now, a little more than halfway through the season, Moore is ready to ascend.
Last week against the Colts, Moore set season-highs in targets (8), receptions (7), yards (84), and touchdowns (2). His 60% snap share was also his highest since Week 2. I really don’t know how head coach Robert Saleh can see what Moore did last week and not keep him heavily involved.
Don’t be scared of Corey Davis’ return
After missing the last two weeks with a hip issue, Corey Davis is likely to return either this week or next. Davis will be reinstated as a starter, but I just can’t imagine it being at the expense of Moore.
The most likely outcome is Davis pushes Denzel Mims and Keelan Cole down the depth chart. The Jets would be well-served to start Moore opposite Davis in two-receiver sets and use Jamison Crowder when they go with 11 personnel (3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB). The Jets run three-receiver sets 60% of the time, so even if they limit Moore to that personnel grouping, he will still have plenty of opportunities to produce.
Moore is a priority waiver wire pickup
Sometimes, the best waiver wire adds are just bye week/injury replacements that won’t get you zero. However, the most valuable pickups are players that have the potential to stick on your fantasy roster. Moore is one of those guys.
Projecting Moore to operate as the WR3 behind Davis and Crowder is the worst-case scenario. Even in that situation, Moore will still be fantasy-viable. The real appeal of Moore? The possibility that he just takes over and becomes the alpha of New York’s receiving corps. He has the talent to do so. That’s what fantasy managers are banking on when opening up their FAAB wallets to acquire Moore.
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There aren’t going to be many more opportunities to find difference-making assets on the waiver wire. While Moore is no lock to be one of those guys, he undoubtedly has that ability.
When a player like Moore shows signs of truly breaking out, fantasy managers have to be willing to take the shot. Moore’s ceiling is that of an every-week WR2. You owe it to yourself and your team to chase that upside. Be willing to spend anywhere from 10-25% of your FAAB on Moore this week.