WR, Ole Miss

Update: Elijah Moore Jets. The New York Jets got a nice value when they took wide receiver Elijah Moore in the 2nd round.

Why haven’t you heard more about Moore? That I can’t tell you. If you are an avid football fan you are more likely to have seen highlights of Rondale Moore out of Purdue or heard his name leading up to the draft, but we are here to tell you to pay more attention to this Moore. It’s not like this young man came out of nowhere, he was a four star wide receiver out of high school with offers from over 20 schools including Alabama, Ohio State, and LSU. So why is it this young man isn’t being spoken of more? This last year he quietly obliterated defenses putting up a stat line of 86 catches, 1193 yards and 8 TDs in only 8 games. He actually led the nation in yards per game receiving topping Alabama’s Devonta Smith by 7 per. So what’s the catch? Honestly, the more I watch the film, the more I like his game.

Strengths

Umm…, pretty much everything. He has some of the most explosive tape I’ve seen this year. His start and go and quick twitch is absolutely remarkable. He catches almost everything. In his college career he has 10 drops out of 200 catchable targets and only two of those drops came this year. I’ll be honest, I would have dropped one of them too as he would have been decapitated for a loss of yards. Although he only stands 5’9″, he ranked near the top in contested catches with 11 on the year. His hands are strong and sure! His tracking ability when the ball is in the air is top notch as well.

When I think 5’9″, I think shifty underneath receiver, but not with him. He can play in the slot, where he is a beast, but he handles his own on the outside as well. I was most impressed in the game against South Carolina when he repeatedly beats 1st rounder to be CB Jaycee Horn and puts up 13 for 225 and 2. Once again, that’s against one of the highest rated corners in the country. He beats him off the line and with his feet running routes. I even see him beat the press with some nice hand fighting to get inside on slants.

Weaknesses

I honestly want to say none for the first time ever. I can’t find anything I don’t like about this player, but because that is my job we will nitpick. We will focus on his lack of height at 5’9″. At this height one should question if he can produce at the next level. After watching him play that answer is yes. I mean he even gets involved in the run blocking. While he might not be big enough to take on middle linebackers in the NFL, I’m willing to say he’ll try. I see some analysts questioning his ability against press man. I am not too concerned due to his extremely quick shimmy and his good hands at the line.

If you watch some of his film and you don’t walk away in love with his game, well then you need some help. He earns praise in the form of comparisons to Percy Harvin for his quickness and suddenness per Tim Tebow, who played with Harvin. Jordan Rodgers speaks of him highly as well, and says he is the best route runner since Jerry Jeudy. Heck even Odell Beckham Jr is letting people know that Moore is the real deal. Maybe it’s time people start to listen and give him the respect he doesn’t just deserve but has earned.

Prediction

Elijah will be a day two pick, where he should be picked in the second not the third. If he falls past that it is purely because teams question his size. It’s time for scouts to stop doing that. I mean Tyreek Hill should have put a stop to that already. That being said, he is more than good enough to go in the first round. If he does I wouldn’t be upset with the team that takes him. One team I would love to watch him play for is the Green Bay Packers. If he does end up there, Aaron will have an even bigger smile than usual!