When the Cleveland Browns were evaluating positions to improve this offseason there was one glaring area in need of some help. Wide Receiver. It was clear that this group needed some help even with the presence of Amari Cooper and to a lesser extent Donovan Peoples-Jones. That is why instead of standing pat and drafting a wide receiver in the second round of this past draft they went out and traded for Elijah Moore.
The trade for Elijah Moore is meant to bolster the current group and be a connecting piece to the future of Cleveland’s pass catchers. There is a very real scenario that both Cooper and Peoples-Jones are not on this roster this time next year, leaving a questionable at best group remaining. The Browns are hoping Moore can improve upon the flashes he showed while in a Jets uniform and be a more consistent offensive presence. While anything crazy like leading the team in receptions is off the table, Moore should be able to thrive as Cleveland’s third receiver/fourth pass catching option behind Cooper, Peoples-Jones, and David Njoku. Taking that role and running with it would do wonders for Cleveland’s passing game and take the Browns offense to the next level that they desperately need.
A change of scenery could be just what Elijah Moore needed
Moore’s rookie season in New York was promising, with 43 receptions for 538 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. Additionally, 24 of those catches went for first downs, a valuable but sometimes overlooked aspect of receivers. Year two did not go as well, seeing his numbers drop to 37 catches (22 first downs), 446 yards, and just one touchdown in 16 games. Moore’s yards per reception dropped only slightly, from 12.5 to 12.1, but the expected improvements year-over-year were just not there.
Ideally Moore can get things back on track with a better quarterback situation than what he had in New York. There is a big difference in offensive potential when comparing a team quarterbacked by Deshaun Watson and a group consisting of Zach Wilson, 2022 Joe Flacco, Mike White, and Chris Streveler. Maybe a change of scenery and a quarterback situation that does not resemble most of the Browns history dating back to 1999 will be just what Moore needed to take the step he was unable to last season. The Browns are counting on it.
