Elijah Moore News

The New York Jets are trading wide receiver Elijah Moore and a 2023 third-round pick (No. 74) to the Cleveland Browns for a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42). Moore became expendable after the Jets signed Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard in free agency. He will have an easier path to playing time in Cleveland, as Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell are currently the only competition for the No. 2 receiver job behind Amari Cooper. Moore had a promising rookie season in 2021 after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick, but his second campaign was marred by an unfulfilled trade request that resulted in being benched and made inactive. Moore had 43 receptions on 77 targets for 538 yards and 5 touchdowns across 11 appearances as a rookie, but he only caught 37 passes on 65 targets for 446 yards and 1 touchdowns in 16 games last year. He averaged an inefficient 6.9 yards per target and 1.23 yards per route run over those two seasons.

This move doesn't come as a surprise as the Jets have already signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman (groin) to free-agent contracts this offseason. Moore, a 2021 second-round pick, posted 43 receptions on 77 targets for 538 yards and five scores across 11 appearances as a rookie, but he had a disappointing sophomore campaign, securing just 37 of 65 targets for 446 yards and one score across 16 games. The soon-to-be 23-year-old will get a fresh start in Cleveland and will presumably compete for Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell for a sizable role behind Amari Cooper.

Moore was expected to take a step forward after racking up 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games as a rookie. Instead, Moore regressed in every facet except availability. His only absence came in Week 7, when Moore was sent home after requesting a trade. The second-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft returned the following week and remains in the Jets' plans moving forward. An upgrade under center could revitalize Moore's career, but he's well behind 2022 first-round pick Garrett Wilson in the team's wide receiver pecking order.

After catching at least three passes in each of New York's first four games, Moore has totaled three or more receptions only twice since Week 5. His disappointing sophomore season will come to a close in Week 18 against the Dolphins. Moore heads into that game with just 36 catches for 435 yards and one touchdown in 15 appearances after racking up 43 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns over 11 games as a rookie.

New York's entire offense struggled in this one, but Moore was notably out-targeted by both Garrett Wilson (nine) and Corey Davis (seven). Moore's best chance at fantasy relevance in Week 17 against the Seahawks would be the Jets getting Mike White (ribs) back under center. A Zach Wilson-Chris Streveler redux just won't cut it.

Moore made a 20-yard catch with one second left in the fourth quarter to convert on 4th and 18, but Greg Zuerlein missed a 58-yard field-goal attempt on the next play as the Jets' final drive fell short. Moore reached the 60-yard threshold in two of the previous three games when Mike White (ribs) was under center, but he has yet to do so with any other quarterback this season. Zach Wilson started this game and will likely remain under center Thursday against the Jaguars unless White makes an unexpectedly quick recovery.