Jets Trade Elijah Moore; What Could It Mean for Rodgers Trade?

On Wednesday, the Jets exchanged their second-round pick in 2021 - Elijah Moore - to the Cleveland Browns. As compensation, they will receive both the 74th overall pick and a third-round selection.

The Browns have an opportunity to acquire a talented young receiver at an affordable cost. Furthermore, this player has already shown flashes in the past and should fit well into their offense well.

What the Jets Got

Elijah Moore has been traded to the Cleveland Browns by the New York Jets in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick. While this trade came as a shock, it could prove beneficial in the long run.

The Jets had a crowded wide receiver room with Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Corey Davis on the roster - making Moore expendable. Now he's been traded to Cleveland where he will join Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell and Anthony Schwartz in the Browns' passing attack.

Moore, should he remain on the team, will be an elite wide receiver2. He boasts speed and great athleticism that allow him to catch balls deep and make plays in tight quarters.

He hasn't reached 50 receptions in either of his two NFL seasons, but that should change this season as he reunites with quarterback Deshaun Watson and the dynamic playmakers in the Browns' offense. His speed and inside/outside versatility will allow him to further enhance the Browns' pass game.

That makes him a perfect complement to Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones as the Browns continue to build their offensive arsenal. Furthermore, they should continue adding pass catchers at all levels through both draft and free agency in the coming years.

Based on pure NFL trade value parameters, this was an impressive return for the Jets. It's worth noting that they moved up 32 spots in this trade from 74 to 42.

Douglas indicated that he would prefer another second-round pick in exchange for Moore, so this deal appears reasonable. After all, Douglas has three mid-round receivers to choose from including Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman (whom the Jets signed in free agency).

The trade was a win-win for all parties involved. The Jets now possess two picks in the middle of the second round that they can use to build an even stronger future around Aaron Rodgers. Furthermore, this gives them an opportunity to acquire Odell Beckham Jr. or another high-end wide receiver from the Packers via trade.

What Could It Mean for the Rodgers Trade?

On Wednesday night, the Jets made another move in pursuit of a trade with the Green Bay Packers. They traded Elijah Moore to the Cleveland Browns for Mecole Hardman.

The deal gives the Jets another reliable receiver to rely on, potentially improving their pass-catching game. Furthermore, it increases their draft assets as they now possess a second round pick that could be utilized in any potential Rodgers trade.

Though it's too soon to tell how this move will impact Fantasy football, Moore had plenty of potential as a rookie, catching 43 passes for 538 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. Unfortunately, his production dropped off last season as he struggled to build rapport with quarterback Zach Wilson.

At some point, Moore's frustration with LaFleur reached its peak and he requested a trade ahead of the 2022 NFL trade deadline. Coach Robert Saleh and the team insisted they wanted to build around Moore, and they defended his request by saying they "valued him as an integral part of our offense's future."

Hardman was an integral part of a Jets offense that produced only 202 passing yards per game, good for 22nd in the NFL. With plans to upgrade their receiving corps this offseason, Hardman should be able to make use of his slot-playing ability.

In exchange, the Jets will send a conditional 2020 second-round pick to Cleveland and the Browns will receive a fourth-round selection in 2022. Furthermore, Cleveland has sent their 2023 third-rounder to Houston.

Though this move might not be ideal for the Jets, it's still a wise one. It puts them in an advantageous position to part ways with Corey Davis and Denzel Mims, freeing up enough cap space to finalize a deal with the Packers for Aaron Rodgers.

The Browns have added Moore as a potential starter, offering good speed and an explosive route tree to complement Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Furthermore, Moore can be a deep threat for quarterback Deshaun Watson - something their offense lacked last year.

How Will this Affect the 2023 Draft?

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns acquired speedy Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore. By trading their second round pick (42nd overall) to New York for a third-round pick and the 74th overall selection, they acquired weapons for Deshaun Watson while filling an important need at receiver.

In a league filled with talented, fast receivers, it's hard to ignore Moore. He has shown the potential of becoming an NFL playmaker and possess the speed and acceleration to stretch the field vertically in space.

Last season, however, his lack of production (only 37 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown in 2022) made it evident that a trade would be necessary this offseason. After having an issue with coach Mike LaFleur during midseason and then asking for a trade, it became apparent that this offseason would be different.

For the Jets, it makes sense to part with Moore in this trade as they already have a crowded wide receiver room after signing Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in free agency. Furthermore, they boast an impressive running back in Garrett Wilson who had an impressive rookie campaign.

The Jets still possess three picks in the top 50 of the 2023 draft, which could be utilized to strengthen their roster. That could be a key factor when deciding whether or not they should move up in the draft or keep their first-round pick.

By moving up, the Jets could potentially draft the player they desire at another position, such as safety, wide receiver, edge rusher or interior defensive lineman. Ultimately, this could mean they are able to secure the quarterback necessary for success in today's NFL.

This trade may not be a major one for the Green Bay Packers, as they are reportedly interested in Rodgers and have already sent two top-50 selections to New York. Furthermore, it provides the Jets with some extra draft capital to help them secure their starting quarterback for 2023.

How Will this Affect the 2024 Draft?

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets have traded wide receiver Elijah Moore to the Browns in exchange for a third-round pick. The deal was announced Wednesday morning.

Cleveland is in need of a secondary receiver to complement Amari Cooper, and Moore fits the bill perfectly. He's an explosive playmaker who should become an invaluable asset for Deshaun Watson and the Browns' young passing attack.

He's a former second-round pick who showed signs of promise during his rookie season, and the Browns believe he can contribute to their offense. While he may not be the long-term answer, he should be an important component of their passing attack over the course of two more years.

Though he hasn't done much in his first two seasons, Moore is an athletic, versatile playmaker who can stretch the field vertically and make plays in the red zone. Additionally, he's on a bargain contract that doesn't carry an enormous salary cap hit for 2024, which should help boost his chances of becoming an integral part of Cleveland's passing game.

If the Browns don't trade him, he could end up on another team with an immediate need for speedy receiver. The Giants, who have already signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman, could potentially take a chance on him.

The Falcons are another potential landing spot, as they're in the thick of an intense NFC South race. While their roster and coaching staff are impressive, they still need to improve on defense.

This draft class is filled with talented receivers, so trading for Moore could help the Browns fill their needs while keeping some of their top players intact. If they can find someone to match his speed and abilities, it would be a wise move for the future of the franchise.

The Green Bay Packers are in need of a receiver, and a deal for Moore could provide them with the pieces to get there. A second-rounder, swap of first-rounders, and a 2024 conditional selection could help the Packers make a deal for him.