The Ravens, Chiefs may fight for 1,800-yard wide receiver, Elijah Moore in a trade before the deadline tomorrow. According to numerous reports, the 24-year-old continues to be a trade candidate in a season where the Browns could be tanking this year after losing Deshaun Watson to a season-ending injury. Cleveland is already shopping Za’Darius Smith and Greg Newsome so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Moore is another player to move on which the Browns may firesale their entire roster.
Quarterback Jameis Winston is not the long-term starter so the Browns are heading into another rebuild. After trading Amari Cooper, the team probably shouldn’t keep Moore if they don’t plan to use him as a part of the starting lineup. Even though he got a few more targets, he’s only been able to haul in 28 yards on nine of those passes in their loss against the Chargers. Moore continues to be a healthy scratch for any team that needs a rental final piece to make a legitimate run in the postseason this season.
The wideout is in the final year of his contract so any team that acquires him in a trade doesn’t necessarily need to extend him. He may not have lived up to expectations with the Browns or Jets but with the right team and consistent quarterback, Moore could become a better player. Last season, he brought in two touchdowns for 59 catches and recorded 640 yards. Only time can tell what he can do with a contending team that gets him involved in the passing attack as a vital piece to lead the offense.
Ravens, Chiefs May Fight For 1,800-Yard Wide Receiver Elijah Moore in Trade
More Weapons for Lamar Jackson
The Ravens may have got Diontae Johnson but the team is still putting an emphasis on Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Nelson Agholor could be why Baltimore brought in Johnson in the first place since his inconsistency issues have been getting the best of him, especially off that heart-breaking loss in Cleveland. Baltimore may not need any more weapons but having a defense that’s been average than last year is something they may have to make up for. A Moore trade isn’t the complete deal-breaker but it helps support Jackson who needs to dump off a quick pass or two.
Moore doesn’t need to be a full-time starter but it could be a significant upgrade from Agholor. There’s no word if the Ravens will keep Johnson beyond in preparation for the playoffs but having someone like Moore may help the longevity of this offense. Bateman still has his moments of inconsistencies as well even though the Ravens gave him a contract extension, Moore could be a cheap addition to see what he could in the lineup. He won’t drastically improve the team’s lineup but it’s a weapon Jackson could utilize rather than relying on Justice Hill to make slant passes.
Extra Safety Net
Kansas City didn’t have luck on their side after expecting to walk in this season signing Marquise Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy along with Rashee Rice being reinstated. However, they’re without Brown and Rice with injuries so they have to claw to see who can replace one or the other. They brought in DeAndre Hopkins who Andy Reid is expecting to be transformative to this offense, to fill the void. A Moore trade makes sense at this point of this year as the postseason is around the corner.
He could be a significant upgrade from JuJu Smith-Schuster who’s been inconsistent again and battling injuries. Hopkins fills the void in Rice’s absence but they could a body like Moore to replace Brown. These new three-set receivers could be crown jewel pieces to lead them to the three-peat they’re looking for.
