Elijah Moore

Browns Place UFA Tender On Elijah Moore

April 28th, 2025 at 10:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bills hosted Elijah Moore on a visit Monday. Soon after, the Browns became the first team to unholster the UFA tender since the Chiefs and Ravens did so in 2022.

Cleveland brought the seldom-used tender out for Moore, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. This will include a potential Moore signing into the Browns’ 2026 compensatory formula. The tender is worth $3.43MM, per Yates. This covers 110% of Moore’s 2024 salary.

Baltimore and Kansas City placed UFA tenders on Justin Houston and Melvin Ingram, respectively. Neither player returned to the team, but the tenders gave the Ravens and Chiefs exclusive negotiating rights had those edge rushers not signed by July 22. That will apply to the Browns with Moore, who could either return to Cleveland at that rate or aim for another team’s offer before July 22.

If Moore signs elsewhere before that date, he will factor into the Browns’ comp-pick haul for 2026. Moore’s path back to Cleveland became somewhat foggy later Monday, when the Browns took a flier on mercurial wideout Diontae Johnson. The Browns had originally acquired Moore in a trade with the Jets, in March 2023, as New York was reshaping its WR room ahead of Aaron Rodgers‘ arrival. Moore worked as a reasonably productive auxiliary target for two largely QB-deficient Browns teams, posting 640- and 538-yard seasons as a slot presence.

The Browns have Jerry Jeudy entrenched as their No. 1 wideout, after his belated 2024 breakout that produced a Pro Bowl nod, and Johnson joins 2023 third-round pick Cedric Tillman Jr. as supporting-cast options. The Browns did not draft a receiver over the weekend, potentially keeping a Moore return in play.

While Houston, Ingram and LeGarrette Blount (2017) represent instances of players hit with UFA tenders before leaving as free agents, players have returned to their previous team on a UFA tender before. Markus Golden did so in 2020, rejoining the Giants after that year’s July deadline came and went. Golden signed the tender a week after the deadline, reporting to camp. The Giants eventually traded Golden back to the Cardinals before that year’s trade deadline.

WR Elijah Moore To Visit Bills

April 28th, 2025 at 9:01am CST by Adam La Rose

The Bills focused heavily on defense during the draft, leaving their receiver room essentially intact. As the post-draft wave of free agency begins, Buffalo is hosting one of the top options still on the market.

Elijah Moore will visit the Bills today, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. The former Jets second-rounder only spent his first two years in New York, and he was traded to the Browns halfway through his rookie contract. Moore handled snap shares of 73% and 76% in Cleveland, receiving triple-digit targets both seasons during his time there.

In 2024, the Ole Miss product set a new career high with 61 catches. While his yards per reception average (8.8) marked a step back from his three previous campaigns, the Browns’ quarterback play was lacking throughout the season and their offense struggled as a whole. Considering his age (25), Moore could be seen as a more attractive option to suitors than the other, older wideouts still on the market.

Buffalo’s decision to move on from Stefon Diggs last offseason led to questions at the receiver position. Taking a more balanced approach on offense, the team managed to finish top-10 in passing yards in 2024 while ranking second in the NFL in scoring. Duplicating that success will include continued reliance on Khalil Shakir, who comfortably led the team in yards (821). Shakir was one of several Bills to receive a long-term extension this spring.

Keon Coleman flashed potential during his rookie campaign, averaging an impressive 19.2 yards pre catch (albeit on only 29 receptions). The No. 33 pick in last year’s draft will likely take on an increased workload in 2025, a year in which free agent addition Josh Palmer will occupy a starting role. Buffalo’s WR room lost Mack Hollins in free agency while trade acquisition Amari Cooper remains unsigned at this point.

Room therefore exists for an addition late in free agency. Moore could take on at least a rotational role in Buffalo if today’s visit produces an agreement. One would likely need to be a low-cost flier, though, since the Bills entered Monday near the bottom of the league in cap space ($3.14MM) with rookie signings and UDFA additions still to be added to the team’s books.

Broncos Were Only Interested In Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs At Reduced Rate; Team Still In Veteran WR Market?

March 30th, 2025 at 12:15pm CST by Rory Parks

Prior to his March release, the Broncos were reportedly uninterested in trading for former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp. Once Kupp became a free agent, though, there was said to be mutual interest in a Kupp-Denver relationship.

Nonetheless, Mike Klis of 9News.com hears the Broncos’ involvement in the Kupp sweepstakes was cursory at best, thanks largely to the receiver’s asking price. If the club could have landed the Super Bowl LVI MVP at a discounted rate, it might have done so. But once it became clear no discount would be forthcoming, Klis said Denver did not pursue Kupp (who ultimately signed a three-year, $45MM deal with the Seahawks).

The Broncos were never publicly connected to Stefon Diggs, whose reworked contract with the Texans expired at the end of the 2024 season. Klis says the club would have been interested in Diggs if he could have been had at a discount, but as was the case with Kupp, it soon became apparent the four-time Pro Bowler was not interested in a pillow contract. And he did not need to be, as he recently signed a three-year, $69MM accord with the Patriots.

To be clear, Klis is not suggesting Denver was motivated by frugality here. Head coach Sean Payton said back in February that he felt more highly of his cadre of wideouts than some league observers, and assuming that was not simply coach-speak, it stands to reason that the club would not overextend itself for 30-something WRs who are dealing with recent injury and production concerns.

The team was prioritizing a tight end upgrade, and it accomplished that goal by scooping up Jaguars cap casualty Evan Engram, who should provide a notable boost to the passing game. Plus, even though their Kupp and Diggs interest did not get past the preliminary stage, the fact that they made inquiries at all suggests to Klis that the Broncos – Payton’s comments notwithstanding – are still in the veteran receiver market. Which makes sense, given the lack of proven production on the team’s depth chart behind WR1 Courtland Sutton.

In Klis’ estimation, Keenan Allen and Elijah Moore are two of the most logical free agents for Denver to pursue, with Tyler Lockett representing another possibility. Adding a player like that would lessen the team’s urgency to select a wideout early in April’s draft while also providing a worthy complement to Sutton and breakout candidate Marvin Mims.

Browns Have Discussed Trading Greg Newsome; Elijah Moore, David Njoku Also Trade Candidates?

November 4th, 2024 at 4:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

4:13pm: Given the nature of Njoku’s contract, it would come as a surprise if he were to be dealt. Indeed, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the Browns are “highly unlikely” to authorize a swap before tomorrow afternoon. One of the deadline’s top storylines will be the interest generated in Njoku and several other Browns seen as attractive to contending teams.

10:05am: Sunday’s loss dropped the Browns to 2-7 on the year. The team has already dealt away Amari Cooper, and more moves could be coming. A trade sending edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to the Lions may be in place, and other names on both sides of the ball will be worth watching.

Cleveland has discussed trading away not only Smith but also cornerback Greg Newsome, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes. The latter was mentioned as a potential trade candidate this offseason, although nothing emerged on that front. Newsome has been a key member of the Browns’ secondary during his tenure, logging 42 starts and his fifth-year option was picked up during the spring.

As a result, the 24-year-old is scheduled to earn $13.38MM, a notable commitment on the Browns’ part or that of a team capable of acquiring him before the trade deadline. Cleveland already has Denzel Ward attached to one of the league’s most lucrative CB contracts ($20.1MM per year), and Martin Emerson Jr. will be eligible for an extension this offseason. The 2022 third-rounder racked up an impressive 29 pass deflections across his first two seasons in the league, and he has added five to that total (along with a forced fumble) in 2024.

Keeping Ward in place while also committing to a new Emerson contract would make it difficult to extend Newsome. The Northwestern product expressed in May his desire to remain in Cleveland well beyond 2025. At that point, however, no extension talks were taking place and there has not been a known change in that respect since. Absorbing the remainder of his $2.4MM base salary for this season would be feasible for contenders seeking help in the secondary, but a steep rise in compensation (which is guaranteed in full) next year could limit his trade market.

Elsewhere on the Browns’ roster, Elijah Moore could also be a name to watch on the trade front. The fourth-year receiver has been on the trade block for weeks, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. Moore is a pending free agent, so Cleveland could look to add draft capital if the team does not envision retaining him this spring. That was the case with Cooper, although at the age of 24 Moore’s situation is notably different. The former Jets second-rounder did not live up to expectations during his two seasons in New York, but the move to Cleveland resulted in a career year last campaign (59 catches, 640 yards, two touchdowns).

Moore has been held without a touchdown catch in 2024, but he has remained a regular in the passing attack with a 74% snap share. The Ole Miss product could represent a depth addition to a contending team on a rental basis if the Browns receive a relatively strong offer. An acquiring team would be on the hook for the prorated remainder of Moore’s $3.12MM base salary.

Another Browns pass-catcher who could be on the move is David Njoku, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (video link). The Pro Bowl tight end has been a steady contributor on offense for much of his eight-year career, and last season he set new benchmarks in receptions (81), yards (882) and touchdowns (six). Despite the arrival of wideout Jerry Jeudy in the offseason, Njoku has remained a key target in the passing game with 43 targets in six games. He is under contract through 2025, and while his base salary that year is only $1.26MM he is owed a $6.56MM option bonus on September 1.

Like with Newsome, any acquiring team would therefore have a decision to make on the contract front if Njoku were to be moved before tomorrow’s deadline. Moore’s status as a rental could make him more attractive to buyers, but in any case it will be interesting to see if the Browns become willing to part with any of those players.

Latest On Browns’ WR Corps

July 10th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be throwing to a lot of the same targets in 2024 that he did last year, but the single addition of a player like Jerry Jeudy largely changes the outlook of that group. The acquisition of Jeudy solidifies Cleveland’s starting group, but some questions still remain further down the depth chart.

Amari Cooper did Amari Cooper things last year, and though he only reached the endzone five times, he put up a career high in receiving yards with 1,250. Former Jets second-round pick Elijah Moore benefitted from a change of scenery last year. Like Cooper, Moore put up a career-high 640 yards, though he only scored twice. Then, the room adds Jeudy, who has mostly failed to live up to his first-round draft stock over his four-year stint in Denver. His best year saw him catch 67 passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns, and if he can reach those peaks again, the top line of the receiving corps is in good shape.

Behind the likely starters, Cedric Tillman, David Bell, and James Proche return from last year. All three players were given opportunities to start following the trade of Donovan Peoples-Jones, but it was the rookie, Tillman, who showed the most growth and promise near the end of the year. According to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, those efforts and a strong spring in the absence of Cooper and Jeudy have likely secured Tillman in the WR4 position.

Bell and Proche, on the other hand, will likely join Michael Woods and rookie fifth-round pick Jamari Thrash, among a number of other names, for the remaining roster spots. Bell is likely safe. Though his yardage and target shares decreased last year from his rookie season, Bell finished second in the room last year with three touchdowns. Proche didn’t have any catches in 10 games with the team last year but became the team’s primary punt returner after the departure of Peoples-Jones. Proche’s special teams prowess helps his case, but he may need to show more on offense to earn a roster spot this year.

Thrash is perhaps the next most likely to keep a job as a recent draft pick. After a stellar 2022 campaign with Georgia State that saw him catch 61 balls for 1,122 yards and seven scores, Thrash transferred to Louisville and led the team by far in receptions (63), receiving yards (858), and receiving touchdowns (6). Woods, a sixth-round pick from 2022, faces longer odds after missing all of last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon and receiving a six-game suspension for personal conduct. Behind them, players like Jaelon Darden, Jalen Camp, Matt Landers, and Ahmarean Brown make up the rest of the room competing for roster spots.

With Cooper, Jeudy, and Moore locked in as starters and Tillman seemingly the favorite as the first off the bench, there’s a remaining one to three spots on the roster, depending on the team’s preferences. A combination of Bell, Proche, and Thrash feels like the most likely outcome, but strong training camp performances from any of the others, or poor camps from any of those three, have the potential to shake things up a bit in Cleveland.

Latest On Browns’ WR Corps

July 12th, 2023 at 9:59pm CST by Ely Allen

There is a lot of confidence around the Browns’ roster heading into the 2023 season. One of the positions of interest, though, is the wide receivers group. Highly dependent on the production of its top two wideouts last year, Cleveland will be paying close attention to the availability of Amari Cooper and the development of other receivers.

Luckily, after offseason surgery for a core muscle injury that had Cooper limping into the offseason, there are reportedly “no concerns from either Cooper or the Browns that he won’t be ready to go for training camp,” according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Even with the injury, Cooper delivered a team-leading 78 receptions for 1,160 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Finally able to have an opportunity to build a rapport in camp with quarterback Deshaun Watson should set Cooper up for a strong second year in Cleveland.

The other top receiving performance for the team last season came via a bit of a breakout year for third-year receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. The former sixth-round pick recorded career-highs in receptions (61) and receiving yards (839) while also matching his career-high total in touchdowns (3). If Peoples-Jones can take the next step forward in his development in 2023, the Browns could end up with three extremely capable receiving options for Watson in Cooper, Peoples-Jones, and tight end David Njoku.

Following Cooper and Peoples-Jones, the experienced depth disappears and the Browns begin to rely on young players to produce. The first player the Browns will look to is offseason trade acquisition Elijah Moore. After two years with the Jets that contained several hit-or-miss performances, Cleveland will be hoping for a bit more consistency from Moore this year. They can expect him to produce around 500 receiving yards, considering he’s delivered similar numbers in each of his two previous seasons, but if Moore, too, can take a step forward, the Browns’ top three wideouts can be dangerous. The versatility of Cooper and Peoples-Jones combined with the speed of Moore can provide Watson with a diverse set of primary weapons.

A trio of receivers will look to be top contributors behind those three. Free agent addition Marquise Goodwin, second-year receiver David Bell, and third-round rookie Cedric Tillman will all be vying to prove they can contribute in limited opportunities. Bell could find himself on the roster bubble after a disappointing rookie season, but it seems unlikely that they would release the former third-round pick after only one year.

If the Browns only decide to take six receivers on the roster into 2023, Bell will be competing for the sixth spot with veteran Jakeem Grant and Jaelon Darden. Neither Grant nor Darden are likely to add much on offense, but their abilities in the return game could allow Cleveland to trot someone other than Peoples-Jones out there for returns. If the team would prefer the possible offense Bell could add, they could continue utilizing Peoples-Jones in the return game.

This leaves another third-round pick, Anthony Schwartz, in danger of being waived. Over two years, Schwartz has only caught 14 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. He contributed on kick returns as a rookie, but with others who can fill that role, that doesn’t help his case much. Other receivers Ra’Shaun Henry, Mike Harley Jr., and Daylen Baldwin all face long odds to make the 53-man roster, while last year’s sixth-round pick, Michael Woods II, is expected to miss the entire season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April.

The Browns will have a few tough decisions to make when deciding just how many receivers to keep going into 2023, but they should feel confident about the weapons they have leading the group. With Cooper expected back healthy and Peoples-Jones and Moore hoping to continue their development, the Browns could be providing Watson with a talented top group of targets.

Browns Comfortable With WR Room; Team Unlikely To Pursue DeAndre Hopkins

June 26th, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeAndre Hopkins resided as Deshaun Watson‘s top receiver throughout the latter’s stay with the Texans, and the 2022 trade chip has expressed support for his new team to greenlight a reunion. Although early momentum signaled the Hopkins-to-Cleveland scenario was viable, that buzz ceased over the past several days.

Hopkins made visits to Nashville and Foxborough, and the 10-year veteran is weighing Titans and Patriots free agency offers. The former All-Pro, however, is clearly hoping for more. He is eager to see if more teams will enter the fray and drive up the price. As of now, it does not look like the Browns will be one of them. It has been trending in this direction for a bit with Cleveland.

The Browns are comfortable with their receiving corps, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, adding that the team has not made an effort to enter the Hopkins derby. Such an entrance is unlikely. Elijah Moore‘s work thus far this offseason has contributed heavily to the organization’s comfort level with a position group that was thin during Watson’s first year.

Helping the Jets rearrange their receiver room to accommodate what turned out to be three free agency additions (Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, Randall Cobb) as Aaron Rodgers arrived, the Browns acquired Moore in a pick-swap deal that featured the former second-round pick relocating in exchange for a 32-spot draft-slot drop. The Jets used the Moore pick in the package sent to the Packers for Rodgers. While the Jets now have four second-contract receivers supplementing Garrett Wilson, the Browns have been impressed by Moore’s showing during their padless set of practices.

Moore is expected to operate in the slot frequently in Cleveland, but the team is also planning a versatile role for the former Ole Miss prospect. Saddled with potential bust Zach Wilson in New York, Moore showed promise as a rookie (43 catches, 538 yards, five touchdowns) but slumped last season. Moore feuded with Jets OC Mike LaFleur, was sent home from a practice and requested a trade. The Browns looked into Moore last year, but the Jets brought him back into the fold. He ended averaging just 27.9 yards per game — far lower than his 48.9 per game as a rookie. Two seasons remains on Moore’s rookie contract; he is expected to work alongside Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones as a Browns starter.

In addition to the intrigue surrounding Moore, Breer adds Anthony Schwartz has shown progress as well. The former Auburn speedster has not taken flight as a pro, catching just 14 passes in 25 career games. The Browns also brought in veteran Marquise Goodwin to help as a long-range threat. Schwartz, who joined Moore as a 2021 Day 2 pick, could conceivably put pressure on Goodwin for the team’s final WR spot. But Goodwin is viewed as a good bet to make the team. The Browns also have 2022 third-round pick David Bell and yet another third-rounder (rookie Cedric Tillman) in the mix; Bell’s roster spot is not believed to be in jeopardy.

Hopkins’ past with Watson notwithstanding, he would seemingly fit better with the Patriots or Titans — or other teams that have also been connected here over the past few weeks. The Chiefs lost Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster and saw Kadarius Toney‘s run of injuries follow him from New York last year. The Bills did not see consistency from Stefon Diggs sidekick Gabe Davis, who is going into a contract year.

After the Browns trudged through last season mostly dependent on only Cooper and Peoples-Jones, Moore gives them a clear third option. The team has some interesting backups as well, which will likely keep Hopkins out of Ohio. The Browns’ receiver acquisitions will put Watson in position to improve on his sluggish start with the franchise.

David Bell Not On Browns’ Roster Bubble; Anthony Schwartz Facing Longer Odds

June 23rd, 2023 at 2:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Since the Browns drafted David Bell in the 2022 third round, they have been busy at the receiver position. This offseason, they traded for Elijah Moore, used another third-round choice on a wideout (Tennessee’s Cedric Tillman) and signed veteran speedster Marquise Goodwin.

With Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones atop the depth chart, competition for the Browns’ receiving gigs will be interesting. But the team should not be considered likely to bail on a third-round pick after just one season. Bell remains in good standing with the Browns, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot.

The Browns chose Bell 99th overall out of Purdue, bringing him in after a prolific career with the Big Ten program. Bell posted two 1,000-yard seasons with the Boilermakers, including a 1,286-yard junior year alongside eventual Raiders QB draftee Aidan O’Connell. In Cleveland last year, Bell did not carve out a regular role. He caught 24 passes (seventh on the team) for 214 yards and no touchdowns as a rookie. But Kevin Stefanski viewed the slot receiver highly coming out of college; the fourth-year Cleveland HC still sees considerable potential here, per Cabot.

But the Browns’ offseason acquisitions do put Bell in an unusual spot. They have now drafted a wideout in in three straight third rounds, and the Moore trade may directly impede Bell’s path. Moore should be expected to work often in the slot, though Cabot adds the Browns also plan to use the trade pickup on the outside and in the backfield.

Moore showcased promise as a rookie but did not progress in his second season — a rocky one in which he asked the Jets for a trade. But the Jets’ shaky quarterback situation certainly limited the Ole Miss product. Moore, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, is set to team with Cooper and Peoples-Jones as the Browns’ top wideouts this year.

While Moore and Cooper are signed through 2024, Peoples-Jones is going into a contract year. Given Cooper’s $20MM-per-year contract, Deshaun Watson‘s megadeal and the extensions on the books for Nick Chubb and three starting O-linemen, paying Peoples-Jones might be difficult for the Browns — especially if the sixth-round success story keeps progressing. Peoples-Jones (839 receiving yards in 2022) could become a free agent prize next year, keeping the door open for Bell to move into a starting role with Cooper and Moore. For now, however, the Browns’ receiving corps looks crowded.

The Browns also have return man Jakeem Grant in line to return, after he missed all of 2022 due to injury, and would then be positioned to carry seven wide receivers. That is more than many teams will be set to retain on cutdown day.

Goodwin represents a better bet to make the team than Schwartz, per Cabot, who adds the former Olympic long jumper is expected to play a key role as a Browns deep threat (video link). Two days after the Moore trade, the Browns signed Goodwin to a one-year, $1.7MM deal with just $400K guaranteed. Schwartz, who has a sub-10.1-second 100-meter clocking in his past, also qualifies as a deep threat. But the former No. 91 overall pick has 14 receptions in 25 career games. The Browns’ receiver decisions this offseason likely came about in part because of Schwartz’s struggles. As such, Cabot notes the Auburn alum has an uphill battle to make the team.

Goodwin being a good bet to make Cleveland’s roster is interesting, considering his age (33 in November) and nomadic 2020s. Goodwin has played for three teams (the 49ers, Bears and Seahawks) over his past three seasons — this sandwiched a 2020 opt-out — and has not eclipsed 400 yards in a season since 2017. But the London Olympian, after a four-touchdown year in Seattle, looks to be in good standing with the Browns, who are certainly deeper at this position than they were in 2022.

AFC North Notes: Mixon, Browns, Steelers

March 31st, 2023 at 7:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nearly three weeks into free agency, Joe Mixon remains on the Bengals‘ roster. The team having seen Samaje Perine turn down an offer to stay and instead choose Denver thinned out its running back room. But Mixon’s status for a seventh Bengals season is not yet a lock. Bengals executive VP Katie Blackburn stopped short of guaranteeing the six-year Cincinnati starter will be back, reminding of comments player personnel VP Duke Tobin made at the Combine.

“Right now, he’s on the team and we are going count on him until that wouldn’t be the case,” Blackburn said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway. “Right now, he’s our starting guy. You’ve seen other teams have to make moves. Could we get to that point? Maybe. But it would be down the road here and we’d have to see if that’s what makes sense or not.”

This situation could hinge on how the Bengals approach the position in the draft. Mixon, 26, is due a $9.4MM base salary and is tied to the third-highest cap figure ($12.8MM) on the team. Blackburn did not rule out the possibility of a post-June 1 cut designation, which would save Cincy $10MM, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicated recently (h/t Bleacher Report) the Bengals are looking to add at running back. (They were linked to Ezekiel Elliott, but little has emerged on that front since.) The Perine offer may have been indicative of Mixon plans. The team could still pair Mixon with a rookie, but it does have some pricey deals — most notably for Joe Burrow — on the horizon. Mixon’s $12MM-per-year deal could be used to create more cap space.

Here is the latest from the AFC North:

The Browns attempted a bigger swing at defensive tackle in free agency. Dalvin Tomlinson became an expensive consolation prize, with Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer noting the team was one of the final two suitors for Javon Hargrave. The standout D-tackle signed a four-year, $84MM 49ers deal, denying the DT-needy Browns one of this year’s biggest free agency fish. Cleveland regrouped with Tomlinson, who signed a four-year, $57MM pact. The Browns, who did little at D-tackle ahead of a poor run-defense season in 2022, preferred Tomlinson to fellow target Dre’Mont Jones, Cabot adds. Tomlinson’s acumen as a run defender attracted the Browns more, as Jones profiles as an inside pass rusher rather than a run stopper.
Staying in Cleveland, the Browns no longer have a second-round pick thanks to the Elijah Moore pick-swap trade. The Browns eyed Moore since his trade request emerged last year, GM Andrew Berry said (via Cabot). After a dispute with then-Jets OC Mike LaFleur, Moore requested a trade. The Jets were adamant they did not want to trade Moore at the time, but after they signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman, the Ole Miss alum became expendable. Still, Cabot adds Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh vouched for Moore’s character to the Browns ahead of the trade.
The Steelers traded Chase Claypool for a second-round pick last year, and given their reputation for selecting Day 2 wideouts, it should not surprise the team is being connected to such a move once again. The team will seek an upgrade in the slot, GM Omar Khan said (via The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly). Hopeful slot weapon Calvin Austin III missed his entire rookie year due to injury. The team should be considered likely to address this need by Round 3, Kaboly adds in a separate piece. From 2013-22, the Steelers chose eight wideouts on Day 2. Both their current top two receivers — Diontae Johnson and George Pickens — were Friday-night draftees.
It does not sound like the Ravens will use a notable resource to replace Ben Powers. John Harbaugh alluded to another competition — one featuring former third-round pick Ben Cleveland, ex-Raiders draftee John Simpson, swingman Patrick Mekari and 2022 fourth-round tackle Daniel Faalele (who is 6-foot-9) as options — being how the team will replace Powers, who won a left guard battle last year. Powers, who scored a four-year Broncos deal worth $52MM, beat out Cleveland in training camp. A draft choice could be added here, but The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec does not anticipate a high pick going to this spot.

Jets Trade WR Elijah Moore To Browns

March 22nd, 2023 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after agreeing to terms with Mecole Hardman, the Jets have a trade in place involving one of their holdovers. They are sending Elijah Moore to the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

A former second-round pick, Moore will head to Cleveland in a deal involving a Day 2 pick swap. The Browns will send their No. 42 overall pick for Moore and the Jets’ No. 74 overall choice, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Two years remain on Moore’s contract; he is going into his age-23 season.

As the Jets’ wide receiver room became crowded, the Browns were connected to wideout interest. The team was looking into Jerry Jeudy, but the Broncos have continued to set a high price for teams regarding their top pass catcher. Instead, Cleveland will add Moore to its receiving corps as a slot piece to pair with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

This will be a nice vault up the draft board for the Jets as well. Moving up 32 spots, the Jets now hold the Nos. 42 and 43 overall picks. Although the Packers have been seeking a first-round pick and change for Aaron Rodgers, the Jets now having two mid-second-round choices figures to come up in the Joe Douglas–Brian Gutekunst trade talks involving the superstar quarterback.

Moore voiced frustration about his role last season and asked the Jets to trade him. The 2021 second-rounder, who was sent home after a heated argument with then-OC Mike LaFleur ahead of a midseason hiatus, did not match his rookie-year numbers in 2022. But Zach Wilson‘s presence hindered Jets receivers, hence the all-out Rodgers pursuit. In reaffirming the team’s desire to retain Moore, Douglas issued strong support for the disgruntled wideout in November. Four months later, Moore has a new team.

As a rookie, Moore showed immediate promise coming out of Ole Miss. The 5-foot-10 target caught 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns, reaching these numbers despite Wilson’s inconsistency and despite missing six games. The Browns will bet on Moore’s upside with Deshaun Watson targeting him, and the team will move out of another early draft slot to do so. The Watson trade cost the Browns their first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Cleveland’s first 2023 draft choice will now arrive at No. 74.

Moore, who clocked a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at his pro day two years ago, is due base salaries of just $1.5MM and $1.9MM this season and next. This bet on potential notwithstanding, it does invite some risk for the Browns. Cleveland has now traded out of the first and second rounds of the draft, and the Watson swap also will send the Browns’ 2023 third-rounder (No. 73) to the Texans. Cleveland does have a compensatory third-rounder — No. 98, acquired from the NFL for the Vikings hiring ex-Browns exec Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as GM — but sliding down from No. 42 to No. 74 will make for a long wait on draft night.

The Jets targeted Moore on just 13% of his routes run last season, per ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter, who adds that was a league-low number for players who ran at least 400 routes. Paired with Cooper and Peoples-Jones, Moore should have a clear-cut opportunity in Cleveland. His exit will also free up space in a Jets receiver room that has seen both Hardman and Allen Lazard added since free agency started.

Gang Green’s receiver cadre now includes Hardman, Lazard, Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and Denzel Mims. While Mims is an obvious candidate not to be part of a Rodgers-led receiver room, it will be interesting to see if the Moore trade allows for Davis to avoid cap-casualty status — the Jets can save $10.5MM by cutting him — or enables the team to pursue Odell Beckham Jr. and/or Randall Cobb. Rodgers is believed to have encouraged the Jets to sign both players, and they have begun doing so. Hardman’s arrival throws a wrench in both OBJ and Cobb coming to the Big Apple, but the Jets still have some space to add another weapon soon.

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