The Cleveland Browns made a fantastic decision by snagging wide receiver Elijah Moore, who was underused with the New York Jets last year, in a March trade. Entering his third season, Moore is poised to provide an immediate impact and add depth to the position. Elijah Moore disappointed fantasy football owners last season because of his decreased usage, and the Jets’ muddled quarterback room. Plus, rookie Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ 2022 pick at No. 10, shined as the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But with Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback – a significant upgrade over what he had in New York – his usage will increase. Last season, Amari Cooper put up career highs in receiving yards (1,160) and touchdowns (nine), drawing double teams 20.5% of the time. As Cooper enters his second season in Cleveland, the four-time Pro Bowler will again garner CB1 attention, leaving Moore to have the best year of his career. Because he can provide Cleveland with a playmaker at WR2, 2023 will be a breakout year for him, and he is my undoubted sleeper for the upcoming season.
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2023 Fantasy Football Profile: Elijah Moore
Moore the Rebel
Moore was a standout receiver at Ole Miss. In his final season, he had 86 receptions for 1,193 yards (149.1 per game) and eight touchdowns and was a 2020 All-American and Southeastern Conference first-team selection and a finalist for the Biletnikoff and Maxwell awards. He is the only Rebels receiver to record three 200-yard receiving games in one season and finished his college career as the fourth-best receiver in school history with 189 receptions for 2,441 yards and 16 touchdowns (Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown is No. 1.)
Turbulence as a Jet
New York drafted Moore 34th in 2021. His NFL combine production score, according to NFL.com was 90, and he was ranked as their third-best receiver. He had a relatively successful rookie campaign, catching 43 passes for 543 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games (with a Week 13 quad injury ending his season). He had two games with more than 20 fantasy points and was in the million-dollar winning lineup in Week 11 (141 yards and a touchdown on eight catches against Miami).
However, instead of taking a step forward in his second season, Elijah Moore had a rough year for fantasy football. He finished with fewer catches (37), yards (446), and touchdowns (one) despite playing in 16 games. He had 51.1 fantasy points all year, which averages out at 2.84 points per game. His best performance was against Chicago in Week 11 (12 fantasy points with two catches for 64 yards and a touchdown). While the Jets’ terrible quarterback play affected his production some, Wilson’s phenomenal year did him in. He was buried in the lineup and had issues with the coaches. His lack of playing time and involvement in the offense caused him to become disgruntled, and eventually, he requested a trade.
Saved by the Trade
The Jets traded Moore and a 2023 third-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick. Moore is a solid receiver who will find success in Cleveland. He should easily be the WR2 right behind Amari Cooper. Donovan Peoples-Jones was the Browns’ WR2 last year, and he was targeted 18.94% of the time. Peoples-Jones ended the season with 61 receptions on 96 targets, 839 yards, and three touchdowns. This bodes well for Moore, who is looking to bounce back this season.
Cleveland was 3-3 with Watson at the helm last year. He threw for 1,102 yards and rushed for 175. He threw seven touchdowns and five interceptions. His QBR was 38.3, while his passer rating was 79.1. The Browns’ passing attack, and offense in general, will be one of the best in the league this year, with Cooper, David Njoku, Peoples-Jones, Nick Chubb, and Moore at Watson’s disposal. Considering Watson’s mobility, coach Kevin Stefanski will likely deploy an RPO-style offense. The Browns deployed three-wide sets 45% of the time last season, and with the addition of Moore, that will likely be somewhere around 50 to 55% this season.
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Elijah Moore Fantasy Football Projection
Moore could be a top 20 receiver this year with over 1,000 yards and five to 10 touchdowns. He is not a tier one, must-start kind of player, but he will be a WR2 or WR3 nearly every week. His usage will increase, and volume equates to productivity and fantasy points. Moore had a 14.3% target rate last year as a Jet; this year, I see him garnering 20% or more. The Browns could deploy him as an outside receiver or put him in the slot. Either way, I think he averages 10 to 12 fantasy points per game and has more than one 20-plus point performance. His current ADP is around 120-125 overall and 30-40 at WR.
Main Photo: Michael Longo – USA Today Sports
