DFF Draft Coverage: Elijah Moore to the Jets

ELIJAH MOORE | OLE MISS   5’9” 178 lbs.   3/27/2000 (Age 21)

Elijah Moore was drafted by the New York Jets, becoming the sixth wide receiver and 34th overall player taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

As a freshman, Elijah Moore was fourth on Ole Miss’s depth chart behind future NFL stars A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf and senior DeMarkus Lodge. Still, he was more productive in his freshman season than some of the other notable WRs in this class, such as Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith. Once Brown and Metcalf were out of the way, Moore truly broke out as a 19-year-old sophomore. He caught over half of his team’s passing TDs that season, and his 35.2% target share ranks in the 96th percentile.

In 2020, Elijah Moore took his game to another level, averaging 149 receiving yards per game. To put that number in perspective, Moore had more receiving yards per game in 2020 than Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, who had 143. 

ATHLETIC TESTING

Elijah Moore measured in at 5’9” and 178 lbs at Ole Miss’s Pro Day. He flashed top-end speed and agility with a 4.35 forty-yard dash and 6.66 three-cone drill, both of which rank in the 93rd percentile at the position. His 36” vertical jump and 121” broad jump are not quite as eye-popping, but still slightly above-average. 

DRAFT ANALYSIS

There was some speculation in the days leading up to the draft that Elijah Moore could jump into the first round. While that didn’t materialize, Moore was taken by the New York Jets with the second pick in the second round. The Jets have now selected three offensive players in the 2021 NFL Draft as they look to build around rookie Zach Wilson. Following this selection, I expect the Jets to release Jamison Crowder and allow Elijah Moore to fully take over the slot in New York. This is a good landing spot for Moore. He’ll have some competition for targets in the form of Denzel Mims and Corey Davis, but he’s talented enough to become the focal point of that offense. 

FANTASY INSIGHTS

Elijah Moore has one of the more impressive prospect profiles in this class. He has incredible speed and agility and the necessary traits to become an elite slot receiver at the NFL level. I will not be surprised if Moore quickly becomes a PPR machine and perennial WR2. He deserves consideration as a top-five wide receiver in this class, though he will likely slot in (no pun intended) closer to sixth or seventh. I’ll be targeting Moore in the early-2nd round of my Superflex rookie drafts. 

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