Cleveland Browns Offense Seeing Success with Offseason Signing Elijah Moore
Early into the 2023 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns are 2-1 with one of the league’s best defenses, and the addition of wide receiver Elijah Moore on offense.
The offense has struggled at times, especially in the red zone, but are growing into their own with every game.
After unexpected season-ending injuries for running back Nick Chubb and right tackle Jack Conklin, the offense is adjusting on the fly.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson played in just six games after serving an 11-game suspension and is growing into his own.
The pieces are aligning, even with the injuries, and now this Browns offense has shown they can sustain drives against some of the best in the league.
They have scored a respectable 24, 22, and 27 points in the first three contests.
One major piece of the new-look offensive group is wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Offseason Acquisition
The Browns added Moore, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, this past offseason.
A trade with the New York Jets sent the Browns’ second-round pick in exchange for Moore and a third-round pick.
Even with Amari Cooper as the undisputed number one target, there were still plenty of ways for Moore to join the team and make an instant impact.
Through just three games with the team, it is apparent he will be a great weapon for Watson and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Statistically Impactful
Wide receiver Elijah Moore ranks second in receiving yards and fifth in rushing yards for the Browns offense in his first games in the orange and brown.
He is tied with Cooper for targets with 25 and is second in receptions hauling in 15 catches. With these 15 catches comes 128 receiving yards good for an 8.5 average.
Additionally, he has six carries for 23 yards, a 3.8 average, and a long rush of 19 yards on the ground.
In his most recent outing, he caught all nine of his targets, with the most catches on the team, for 49 yards.
With the ball in his hands, Moore is one of the faster and more shifty guys on the team. Finding him in space will only help his usage and success.
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In addition to his speed comes solid route running and hands, which he was not able to fully put on display for the Jets.
He played in 27 games over two seasons for the Jets and finished his tenure with 80 catches for 984 yards and six touchdowns, adding 59 yards on the ground.
Hungry for Moore
He is on pace for his best NFL season by a mile in just his third year in the league, partly due to a few changes.
Even with Watson struggling for the majority of his start with the Browns, he is still the best quarterback Moore has played with.
The offensive coordinator and Watson have also done a good job moving him around pre-snap and during the play, finding spots where he can be useful.
Therefore, after his tremendous play in week three, I believe wide receiver Elijah Moore should and will be consistently used more, as they move to more of a balanced attack with Chubb out.
So, if Moore can stay healthy and keep growing in his new role, he has the potential to make a tremendous impact this season.
Main Photo: [Andrew Nelles]- USA Today
