Elijah Moore was the No. 34 overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft and while he showed glimpses of brilliance while in the Big Apple, his NFL career hasn’t gone according to plan.
Now, the 25-year-old is a free agent and likely on the verge of joining his third team in five years. Which teams make sense as a landing spot for the young wideout?
Raiders, Broncos, Rams, Cardinals, and Giants Linked To Elijah Moore
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon recently listed five potential landing spots for Moore, who is the top young receiver still on the market: the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants.
“A former early-second-round pick with elite speed can still offer plenty in this league, especially considering that Moore just turned 25,” Gagnon said. “He’s been tied to the Raiders, who make the most sense as a team that needs a field-stretcher for Geno Smith. The Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, and Giants also make sense.”
Gagnon’s Bleacher Report colleague, Kristopher Knox, agreed that the Rams make sense as a free-agency destination for Moore.
“The Los Angeles Rams could use additional receiver depth, even after signing Davante Adams. They parted with Cooper Kupp and lost Demarcus Robinson to the rival San Francisco 49ers in free agency,” Knox wrote. “Facing a $2.4 million cap deficit, L.A.’s options are limited. However, the Rams might be able to afford taking a flier on Elijah Moore.
“The 25-year-old hasn’t played up to his status as a 2021 second-round pick. However, he’s also been saddled with poor quarterback play in New York and Cleveland. His speed (4.35-second 40-yard dash) could add another element to the Rams’ passing attack.”
After catching five touchdowns as a rookie, Moore has totaled just four receiving TDs over his last three seasons. After a two-year stint with the Jets, Moore was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he put up decent numbers.
Over the course of his NFL career, Moore has caught 200 passes for 2,162 yards.
Many of the free agent wide receivers remaining on the market are veterans whose best days are behind them, including Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson, Robert Woods, Tyler Boyd, Nelson Agholor, D.J. Chark, and Jamison Crowder.
Moore, on the other hand, still has plenty of untapped potential and it’s very possible that his best football is ahead of him if he joins the right situation, especially because he’s never had quality or consistent QB play throughout his NFL career.