Sean Payton Reveals Why Broncos Added 'Talented' WR

Considering their performance over the last two games, many fans were left wondering Tuesday why the Denver Broncos elected to sign wide receiver Elijah Moore rather than an experienced running back, a position in dire straits following the loss of leading rusher J.K. Dobbins.

To head coach Sean Payton, who made the decision, it was all but a no-brainer.

“We had some exposure to him, some experience with some guys on our staff," Payton explained to reporters on Wednesday. "You’re always paying attention to that wire and if someone comes across it that you feel like either can help now or maybe in the future. I think it was more of us looking at a talented player.”

The 34th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, Moore spent his first two seasons with the Cleveland Browns before a two-year stint with the New York Jets and, most recently, a nine-game stop with the Buffalo Bills, who released him in November.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound wideout has totaled 209 receptions for 2,274 yards and nine receiving touchdowns across 70 career appearances, adding two rushing scores.

A slot merchant who drew pre-draft comparisons to Antonio Brown, Moore isn't likely to immediately threaten the likes of Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, or Pat Bryant for playing time behind locked-in WR1 Courtland Sutton.

But the former consensus All-American, who doesn't even turn 26 until March, certainly makes for an intriguing stash on the practice squad as the 10-2 Broncos head into the final leg of the regular season.