Why new Browns WR is primed for bigger role in 2023

The Browns had themselves another aggressive offseason, this time building around QB Deshaun Watson. 

One of the more interesting moves was Cleveland trading its 2023 second-round pick (No. 42) to the Jets for WR Elijah Moore. In a new home, Moore is set to break out in 2023, and here is why.

Best QB yet

Moore played with a carousel of quarterbacks in New York. From 2021-22, he was catching passes from Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson — all of whom are currently backups or free agents.

The Browns have their clear QB1, and although Watson must still prove he can return to his 2020 form when he led the league in passing yards (4,823), he's by far the best quarterback Moore has gotten to play with since entering the NFL.

Proven talent

Although Moore's 80 catches for 984 yards and six touchdowns through his first two seasons aren't all that impressive, he has shown flashes of why he was selected 34th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Over the past two years, Moore has proved he has exceptional hands with just two drops and shown his ability to make people miss after the catch with 16 broken tackles. He is still only 23, so Cleveland has a right to be very excited about his upside in 2023.

Now or never

Moore is entering the third year of his rookie contract, which is when most players tend to make their biggest leaps. He must do exactly that if he wants to cash in on a big payday in one of the next two offseasons.

It certainly feels as though he will, but it's now or never for Moore. Pro Football Focus agrees.

"For some reason, it didn't work out for Elijah Moore with the Jets, but there is little doubt that he has significant potential at this level," PFF's Sam Monson wrote. "This could be the season Moore's production skyrockets. ... If it doesn't happen this year for Moore, it's probably not going to."