Elijah Moore was a member of the 2021 draft’s deep and talented pool of receiver prospects. He represented not only a good scheme fit, but excellent value as well, when the Jets selected him in the second round.
Playing a tangible role in the team’s offense as a rookie (seeing the field for nearly two-third’s of offensive snaps), the Ole Miss product flashed plenty of potential in his inaugural campaign. Coming on stronger as the year progressed, he totalled 538 yards and five touchdowns on 43 catches, scoring another major on the ground as well. A quad injury (separate from the one which cost him time during training camp) limited him to just 11 contests, however.
In 2022, the five-foot-10, 178-pounder is poised to take a significant step forward in production. Brian Costello of the New York Post goes as far as to say “the Jets should expect” Moore to emerge as a No. 1 wideout (subscription required). The 22-year-old already led the team in receiving yards last season in spite of the missed time, but he has plenty of room to grow in the team’s upgraded offense.
The Jets’ WR room has undergone some significant changes this offseason, including the departure of veteran Jamison Crowder. As a result, Costello notes that Moore could be in line for more time in the slot, where he played primarily in college (but sparingly last season). Regardless of where in lines up on the field, he will also face first-rounder Garrett Wilson as a competition for targets, along with fellow starter Corey Davis.
Assuming he is able to remain healthy throughout camp and the preseason, though, Moore should be able to develop further chemistry with fellow second-year player Zach Wilson. If that happens, significant improvement for both could be forthcoming this season, which would go a long way towards a more successful season in New York.
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