Elijah Moore Fantasy
Elijah Moore was supposed to be one of 2022’s breakout sophomore wide receivers. Before his injury in the second half of 2021, Moore exploded onto the scene with 7 weeks of WR1 fantasy performances in which he averaged over 18.1 PPG. He was putting up monster numbers on an otherwise pathetic New York Jets roster, but it was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season. In the offseason, the Jets spent their 10th overall draft pick on Ohio State wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, and it looked like they would have quite the receiving tandem for Zach Wilson to break out with. Unfortunately for Zach Wilson and Elijah Moore, Moore was essentially fazed out of the offense, and Wilson was the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. Despite the terrible quarterback play, Garrett Wilson had a breakout rookie season which resulted in him toting the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Elijah Moore though, was left in the dust and eventually requested a trade.
Despite his trade request being ignored all season, the Jets finally shipped him off to the Cleveland Browns for a third-round pick. Moore’s raw talent is undeniable, and it is a mystery why he was so quiet in a Jets offense that was desperate for playmakers. Regardless, he will have another chance to return to the spotlight in Cleveland alongside Amari Cooper. This duo will be catching passes from the 2020 passing-yards leader, Deshaun Watson, who is looking to prove to doubters that Cleveland did not waste a guaranteed $230,000,000 on him.
HYPE: “He’ll be used as an outside, slot and backfield player, giving the Browns tremendous flexibility to position wherever they believe he’ll have the best shot of creating an explosive play.”
– @AnthonyPoisal on WR Elijah Moorepic.twitter.com/eHV2R7ktW0
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 20, 2023
Current ADP
- ADP: 124
- Position ADP: WR51
There is no reason Moore’s ADP should be this low. He has the talent and opportunity to become a real threat on the Browns’ offense, and he seems to be establishing a rapport early with his new quarterback. By the end of the season, I truly don’t believe that there will be 50 receivers out scoring Elijah Moore. He is currently being drafted in the range of receivers like Rashod Bateman, Jakobi Meyers, Allen Lazard, and Nico Collins. Bateman has hardly played more than half of a season in either of his two years in the NFL, and the Ravens just added Odell Beckham and drafted Zay Flowers 22nd overall in the 2023 draft. While injuries have been the main source of his lack of success, it seems like the Ravens’ management doesn’t have too high of hopes for him. Jakobi Meyers signed with the Raiders this year, who don’t really seem to have their quarterback situation under control. The only way I see Meyers becoming worth his ADP is if Raiders’ new part-owner, Tom Brady, comes out of retirement to sling it in Vegas. Allen Lazard seems to have a connection with Aaron Rodgers, but the Jets’ receiver room is getting crowded and Garrett Wilson will likely control most of the target share. Nico Collins could be a diamond in the rough as Houston’s receiver room is wide open, but history does not favor receivers with Rookie quarterbacks under center. In short, I think Elijah Moore has the highest upside among receivers in this range, and he should easily outperform his ADP
Fantasy Insight
After a frustrating second season with the New York Jets, Elijah Moore will look to bounce back with a Cleveland Browns team that needs to fire on all cylinders to stay competitive in a tough AFC North division. The Browns’ clear WR1 is Amari Cooper, but the depth chart is relatively open beyond that. Donovan Peoples-Jones was the Browns’ WR2 in 2022, but his performance was relatively underwhelming. It seems pretty clear that the Browns have high hopes for Moore in 2023, even stating that they are planning on using him all over the field. The Cleveland management and players have had nothing but praise for Elijah Moore throughout the offseason, and it seems like he is going to be a big part of their offensive game plan in 2023. It seems like Moore and Watson have been establishing a connection throughout training camp, which could end up translating into a lot of targets for Moore in the regular season. As mentioned before, Deshaun Watson led the league in passing yards in his last full season in the NFL. In that season, Watson’s #2 receiver, Will Fuller, had 879 yards and 8 touchdowns in only 11 games. Watson can clearly sustain multiple top-tier fantasy wide receivers when he’s at his best, and he will have had plenty of time to get comfortable in Cleveland’s offense by the start of the 2023 season. Although Elijah Moore has had flashes of greatness, he is still largely unproven in the NFL. He had lots of hype around him last year and didn’t deliver, but he was clearly frustrated in a Jets system that had some major red flags of its own. It seems like Cleveland truly believes in him, and he has a fresh chance to prove what he is capable of in a solid offense.
Deshaun Watson to Elijah Moore already looking crisp 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/ATNqFOq0cC
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 24, 2023
Fantasy Value
Elijah Moore’s 2022 offseason hype followed by the letdown likely has lots of managers sour on his chances of a breakout in 2023. That is the main reason I believe his ADP is triple digits in 2023. However, this deflated draft position could make for a seriously high return on investment for managers who take a chance on him. It is yet to be seen how Cleveland’s passing game will fare under post-scandal Deshaun Watson, but Moore should have a solid grip on the WR2 position when the season starts. If Amari Cooper misses any time, Moore could have some big weeks as Watson’s top target in the offense. Because his ADP is so low, your team won’t be done if Moore ends up having a poor season. If he hits though, he could turn out to be a league winner. I like his chances to hit, and I think he will outperform his ADP in 2023.
Dynasty Value
Elijah Moore just turned 23 this offseason, which puts him at a premium age for dynasty rosters. He has 2 more years on his contract, but he could easily earn an extension if he is able to make an impact for the Browns before his time is up. His dynasty ADP is 97, making him the overall WR43. It is important to draft in dynasty based on age, talent, potential, and situation. Elijah Moore is promising in each of these categories. He is one of the youngest non-rookie receivers, he has proven he can be effective in the NFL even with poor quarterback play, and he is in a solid situation with a Browns team that is looking to lean more on its passing game than previous years. Again, his low ADP makes him relatively low-risk, so his risk/reward ratio is very favorable. If Moore is on someone’s roster who isn’t quite convinced of his potential for next year and beyond, you might be able to get him for a steal. 2023 could be the last year you will be able to get Elijah Moore for this cheap.
Bold Prediction
I am in on Elijah Moore this year, and I believe he could be the steal of the draft. He is going in late rounds and has the potential to be a mid to high-end WR2. He is young, talented, and hungry to prove himself, and I think this is the year he does it. Cleveland has the potential to have a top-10 receiving duo by the end of 2023
#Browns WR Elijah Moore can do so many things pic.twitter.com/iK9O67CfIy
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 24, 2023
