FREEAGENCY FRENZY

[MHS831]

6 hours ago, Aussie Tank said:

Plus he's not right between the ears 

This.  for some reason, he has the WR cognitive impairment disease that should be in an insane asylum, not a locker room.

[MHS831]

First, at this time of the offseason, there is a reason someone is still on the board--it requires a team to take a chance on some bottom feeding and try to find some damaged goods with upside. 

Convince me that I am wrong about Elijah Moore. I don't know more than what seems to be the case on paper.

The negatives:  

• He underperformed in Cleveland (inconsistent) and they did not re-sign him.  The Browns are in cap hell, so that is understandable, but 30 other NFL teams did not sign him either.
• He had a pretty nasty head injury last season. 
• He was drafted by the Jets and quickly traded to Cleveland.
• He is 5'9.5" and 178. 
• Average to below-average size for a slot.
• Has tendency to use elongated step into route breaks.
• Limited catch radius dealing with tall throws.
• Could struggle fighting against NFL length when working downfield.
• Focus drops in 2019 with linebackers closing in.
• Elusiveness after the catch is average.
• Product of Mississippi (Lane Kiffin) program which tends to inflate numbers.

The Positives (or reasons for hope):

• Had 61 catches in 2024 and was targeted 97 times. That resulted in only 538 yards and 1 TD.   (More yards that XL and Coker)
• Spotrac has a value of $4m as a free agent.
• will be 25 during 2025 season
• Ran a 4.32 40 at pro day
• Consistent vertical push off the snap to threaten cornerbacks.
• Makes routes look the same each time out.
• Leverages defenders away from route breaks.
• has plenty of juice to get deep.
• Slams on brakes suddenly from full speed on comebacks.
• Caught 11 of 12 targets against Alabama in 2020.
• Tracks and stacks defender and adjusts into catch-ready positioning.
• Very tough guy with strong hands.
• Able to secure catches through hellacious hits.
• Capable of attacking on all three levels.
• Excellent spatial awareness against zone.

MHS Analysis:  He has been with two programs with rotating QBs who struggled.  Why did the Jets give up on him so quickly?  In Cleveland (2023 and 2024) he had 120 catches for nearly 1200 yards when the QB situation was questionable.  He has been in the worst possible situations.  I think (based on an article and video) he has been primarily a slot WR, but he is also known to get shy over the middle and is not that elusive.  That sounds to me that he is out of position.  With 4.3 speed and strong hands, put him outside as a short X.  Make him a Steve Smith.  At $4m, if that is what he would be willing to take (and I do not see his negotiating advantage at this point).

Edited 20 hours ago by MHS831

[Jon Snow]

4 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

First, at this time of the offseason, there is a reason someone is still on the board--it requires a team to take a chance on some bottom feeding and try to find some damaged goods with upside. 

Convince me that I am wrong about Elijah Moore. I don't know more than what seems to be the case on paper.

The negatives:  

• He underperformed in Cleveland (inconsistent) and they did not re-sign him.  The Browns are in cap hell, so that is understandable, but 30 other NFL teams did not sign him either.
• He had a pretty nasty head injury last season. 
• He was drafted by the Jets and quickly traded to Cleveland.
• He is 5'9.5" and 178. 
• Average to below-average size for a slot.
• Has tendency to use elongated step into route breaks.
• Limited catch radius dealing with tall throws.
• Could struggle fighting against NFL length when working downfield.
• Focus drops in 2019 with linebackers closing in.
• Elusiveness after the catch is average.
• Product of Mississippi (Lane Kiffin) program which tends to inflate numbers.

The Positives (or reasons for hope):

• Had 61 catches in 2024 and was targeted 97 times. That resulted in only 538 yards and 1 TD.   (More yards that XL and Coker)
• Spotrac has a value of $4m as a free agent.
• will be 25 during 2025 season
• Ran a 4.32 40 at pro day
• Consistent vertical push off the snap to threaten cornerbacks.
• Makes routes look the same each time out.
• Leverages defenders away from route breaks.
• has plenty of juice to get deep.
• Slams on brakes suddenly from full speed on comebacks.
• Caught 11 of 12 targets against Alabama in 2020.
• Tracks and stacks defender and adjusts into catch-ready positioning.
• Very tough guy with strong hands.
• Able to secure catches through hellacious hits.
• Capable of attacking on all three levels.
• Excellent spatial awareness against zone.

MHS Analysis:  He has been with two programs with rotating QBs who struggled.  Why did the Jets give up on him so quickly?  In Cleveland (2023 and 2024) he had 120 catches for nearly 1200 yards when the QB situation was questionable.  He has been in the worst possible situations.  I think (based on an article and video) he has been primarily a slot WR, but he is also known to get shy over the middle and is not that elusive.  That sounds to me that he is out of position.  With 4.3 speed and strong hands, put him outside as a short X.  Make him a Steve Smith.  At $4m, if that is what he would be willing to take (and I do not see his negotiating advantage at this point).

I think the team is set at wr until after the draft. They may take one in the 4th or later depending on who's there. 

[CarolinaLivin]

 

[MHS831]

5 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

I think the team is set at wr until after the draft. They may take one in the 4th or later depending on who's there. 

If I could get him (age, productivity, ceiling) on the cheap--$3m or so--I would take him--but I feel that there is something about him that has scared people away--the Jets dealt him (#34 pick overall) after just 2 years.  Now the Browns do not want to re-sign him.  Where there is smoke...

[Jon Snow]

24 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

If I could get him (age, productivity, ceiling) on the cheap--$3m or so--I would take him--but I feel that there is something about him that has scared people away--the Jets dealt him (#34 pick overall) after just 2 years.  Now the Browns do not want to re-sign him.  Where there is smoke...

Red flags everywhere.  Buyer beware. 

[CarolinaLivin]

Non-FA Related: Cal hires former Panthers, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera as general manager of football program

[CarolinaLivin]

Which WR room would you like for Bryce Young?

A.) Tetairoa McMillen, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

B.) Matthew Golden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

C.) Luther Burden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

D.) Emeka Egbuka, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen , & Jalen Coker

[Aussie Tank]

45 minutes ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Which WR room would you like for Bryce Young?

A.) Tetairoa McMillen, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

B.) Matthew Golden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

C.) Luther Burden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

D.) Emeka Egbuka, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen , & Jalen Coker

With just these options A by a hair over B 

[bythenbrs]

1 hour ago, CarolinaLivin said:

Which WR room would you like for Bryce Young?

A.) Tetairoa McMillen, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

B.) Matthew Golden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

C.) Luther Burden, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen & Jalen Coker

D.) Emeka Egbuka, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen , & Jalen Coker

‘B’; Golden is the speed and YAC guy missing on the roster.  That said, I’m concerned he may be a little small to body up with bigger corners.