Elijah Moore trade details: Browns acquire WR from Jets, aid in New York’s quest for Aaron Rodgers
The Jets struck a deal, but it’s not the one the NFL world has been waiting for.
Instead of acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Packers, the Jets sent wide receiver Elijah Moore to the Browns. New York and Cleveland will trade 2023 draft picks as part of the deal.
That the Jets are trading in Moore, 22, may come as a surprise to some. He was the 34th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and showed sky-high potential during his rookie season in New York.
However, the relationship between the two sides soured in 2022. Moore’s usage declined as he struggled to develop chemistry with Zach Wilson. He requested a trade just before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, but the Jets opted to keep him.
But after Mecole Hardman signed a one-year deal on Wednesday, the team changed course and got what they could for Moore. Now the Jets have one less receiver available, but they have an additional second-round pick to use in a potential Rodgers deal.
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Below are the full details of Elijah Moore’s trade and how it will affect the Jets and Browns respectively.
Trade details by Elijah Moore
Brown gets:
- WR Elijah Moore
- 2023 third round selection (No.74 overall)
get jets:
- 2023 second-round selection (No. 42 overall)
The Jets sent Moore to the Browns along with the 74th pick in the draft. New York receives 42nd overall pick in the draft; This will give the Jets a back-to-back pick in the second round as they also own the 43rd pick.
This deal looks like a strong one for the Browns on paper. Yes, they’re moving down 32 spots and won’t make a pick until the third round of the 2023 NFL draft after making their first-round pick in trade with Deshaun Watson. So that’s a disadvantage for the team.
However, Cleveland is also acquiring a receiver who will be just 23 years old when the 2023 season begins. He totaled 80 catches for 984 yards and six touchdowns in 27 games with the Jets, despite playing for a team quarterbacked by Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White.
Moore has a high cap and a two-year contract with cost controls. This move has minimal downside for the Browns, especially since they’re only going down one round in the draft.
As for the Jets, walking away from Moore will hurt, especially if he develops into a dynamic No. 2 receiver against Amari Cooper. At the same time, New York has another great young receiver in Garrett Wilson, so it would have been difficult to keep him and Moore when it came time to hand out contract extensions.
The jets also have a lot of depth at the receiver. They signed Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard for the 2023 offseason to work alongside Wilson, Corey Davis and former second-round pick Denzel Mims. They should have more than enough options for their future quarterback.
Speaking of which, this deal could better position the Jets to strike a trade for Aaron Rodgers — if they so choose. You now have two round two picks and could center any trade pack for Rodgers around either or both of those picks.
Ultimately, this deal should help the Jets in their attempt to land Rodgers. And if that plan fails for any reason, the Jets still have the draft capital needed to make a game for a quarterback.
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Brown’s WR depth map
Moore’s acquisition was one that will help the Browns immensely. They needed a true No. 2 receiver over Amari Cooper and Moore will provide it. He can pose a threat outside or in the slot, while Donovan Peoples-Jones can serve as the team’s No. 3 receiver.
Below is how the Browns depth chart develops after the Moore trade.
| rank | player |
| 1 | Amari Cooper |
| 2 | Elijah Moore |
| 3 | Donovan Peoples Jones |
| 4 | David bell |
| 5 | Jakeem Grant |
| 6 | Michael Wald |
| 7 | Anton Schwartz |
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Jets WR depth chart
As mentioned, the Jets will miss Moore, but they still have plenty of talent at the receiver position. Lazard and Hardman may not be quite as good as Moore, but they will put solid size (Lazard) and speed (Hardman) in position to replace him.
Below is a look at the Jets’ receiver depth map after Moore was sent to the Browns:
| rank | player |
| 1 | Garret Wilson |
| 2 | Allen Lazard |
| 3 | Mecole Hardman |
| 4 | Corey Davis |
| 5 | Denzel Mims |
| 6 | Malik Taylor |
| 7 | Diontae Spencer |
| 8th | Irvin Karl |