Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore is not the top free agent on anyone’s board, but the former second-round pick should have a market in the coming months. Selected by the New York Jets in 2021, the Mississippi product began his career on a high note, recording 43 receptions for 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games while playing with a fellow rookie in Zach Wilson. However, he fell out of favor in New York after a disappointing 2022 and was traded to the Cleveland Browns following the Aaron Rodgers acquisition.
While he never turned into a star, Moore has established himself as a reliable third option in the passing game. Through 12 games, the wide receiver has recorded 50 receptions for 447 yards and one touchdown while primarily working with Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston. Now set to test the open market, Jared Feinberg of PanthersWire believes the Carolina Panthers should pursue the veteran. While he would be a good fit, Carolina won’t be the only team interested in the veteran.
Panthers Named As Potential Suitors For Free Agent Elijah Moore
First-year General Manager Dan Morgan deserves all the credit in the world for rebuilding the Carolina Panthers offense. While this is not the best passing attack in the league by any stretch of the imagination, the Panthers successfully rebuilt the offensive line and added promising young playmakers in first-round pick Xavier Legette, undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, and fourth-round tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Only time will tell if these three develop into stars, but it’s clear these are NFL-caliber players. While the Panthers could target a superstar like Tee Higgins, don’t be surprised if they build their depth instead and go after a cheap free agent like Elijah Moore.
As mentioned in Feinberg’s article, Moore brings a unique skillset to this offense that perfectly complements the existing players on the roster. As a polished route runner with reliable deep speed, Moore could bring a vertical element to this offense. This should allow Legette and Coker to do more damage in the intermediate parts of the field while also diverting safety attention away from Ja’Tavion Sanders in the seam. No matter who is under center in 2025, the quarterback should have the tools to succeed with these weapons.
Other Fits
The Diontae Johnson trade was an unmitigated disaster for the Baltimore Ravens, and the team should look for a better alternative in 2025. The Ravens like what they have in first-round picks Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but they must do something to improve their depth. Veteran Nelson Agholor isn’t getting any younger, and fourth-round pick DeVontez Walker has only played six offensive snaps all year. Elijah Moore could be the ideal free agent signing, as he shouldn’t break the bank and could put up career numbers with an MVP-caliber quarterback in Lamar Jackson.
Chris Olave’s future with the New Orleans Saints is in doubt following his latest concussion. Sidelined for the season, his brother’s tweets suggest the former first-round pick does not want to stay in New Orleans and keep catching passes from Derek Carr. Assuming he’s healthy, the Saints could grant his trade request, net a first-round pick, and sign someone like Elijah Moore as a free agent. Given their disastrous salary cap situation, they won’t pursue big names like Tee Higgins and Chris Olave, but they should have the financial flexibility to make a Moore signing work.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
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