Following a year in which the Las Vegas Raiders selected two wide receivers, they could add another one in the 2021 NFL Draft. While they are currently not in dire need at the position, Elijah Moore is an exciting player worth keeping an eye on.
Elijah Moore had 1,193 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a junior at Ole Miss. However, he opted to forgo his last year of eligibility to enter 2021’s draft. In this final season, Moore showcased exciting potential as an option out of the slot. At Ole Miss’ Pro Day, Moore posted a 4.32 40 yard dash, which showed the high-end speed he possesses. Far from a pure speed receiver, however, he is a fantastic route runner. This shows up early in the route as his releases are top-notch and often give him instant separation. In addition to this, Moore may have the best hands in the draft. He had the lowest drop percentage in the SEC.
While Moore is capable of changing the game with a single touch, he does come with his own set of concerns. At 5’8″ and 185 pounds, he is somewhat limited in what he can bring to an offense. These limitations will force him to be a slot wide receiver in the NFL. While this is not a bad thing as the slot position is valuable to an offense, it does not always translate to being drafted highly.
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How does he fit the Raiders?
The simple answer is that he doesn’t. While his playmaking would be a tremendous fit for Jon Gruden’s offense, the slot receiver spot is already filled. With Hunter Renfrow being one of Derek Carr’s favorite targets, Moore would struggle to see the field at times. Also, with Moore being pegged as a late first or mid-second-round pick, the Raiders likely will not have a chance to select him.
Elijah Moore is a fun player who any offense would love to have. However, the Raiders do not have the luxury of adding to the receiver room at this time. Look for Elijah Moore to become a valuable NFL player, just not in Las Vegas.
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