The Cleveland Browns have made no secret of the fact they wanted to add speed to this wide receiver group and the acquisition of Elijah Moore from the New York Jets also gives them a player that operates out of the slot, so the move hits on both points. The critical element of why this move works is they swapped picks as opposed to giving up a pick, so the Browns get Moore and will still be able to add another rookie, even if it's not as high of a pick.
The Browns were continuously linked to the Denver Broncos and Jerry Jeudy before swapping to Moore. The Jets just signed Mecole Hardman, which gave them the ability to move Moore, who has made no secret of the fact he was hoping to be moved even if it isn't as loud as it has been in the past.
Jeudy is a talented player, but the cost would've hurt. It might have been worth it, but potentially giving up at least the 42nd pick and a player or another reasonably high pick would've been a lot to give up. And unlike when a kid wakes up the morning of school and remembers there's a canned food drive at school and the parent scramble for a quick solution, giving them a old can of lima beans or pumpkin filling, the Broncos were going to get something the Browns didn't want to give up.
Moore has yet to prove himself in the NFL, which is the key difference here, but he's someone that has talent. A smaller target, Moore has elite speed and quickness. He may never be as good as Jeudy, but he doesn't need to be in order to upgrade the offense. Unlike a rookie, Moore has played against NFL competition and can be expected to contribute immediately.
They don't give up a player and they don't change the number of picks they have. Sure, going from 42 to 74 is a big drop, but they now have two third round picks with 74 now being the top pick in their draft. The Browns didn't make a selection until the third round last year, 68th overall, and they did well with it, selecting Martin Emerson Jr. out of Mississippi State.
While the Browns still need to add another starting caliber defensive tackle, they are relatively need free entering this draft. They can largely sit back and play the board, allowing players to come to them. It may be unlikely, but that could be yet another wide receiver.
Moore's contract is a major selling point of this move. In 2023, he's getting $1.472 million and in 2024, he's due $1.879 million. They get a receiver that fits what they want and fits right into their salary cap structure. Had the Browns acquired Jeudy, a hidden cost was likely to be Amari Cooper being gone after 2023. Whether the Browns picked up Jeudy's fifth-year option or they extended him, along with a likely extension for Donovan Peoples-Jones this summer, the Browns would almost certainly move on from Cooper after this coming year. With Moore, Cooper can play in Cleveland the next two years and give them a runway to try to find and develop his eventual replacement.
The final element that makes this trade interesting is David Bell, last year's third round pick. Bell and Moore couldn't be any more different in how they play the position even if both will operate out of the slot. Bell is bigger and stronger while Moore offers premium speed. They could easily put them both on the field at once, but it just gives the Browns added flexibility in how they can attack and put stress on opposing defenses.
Elijah Moore can play the slot and stretch the field, which is something the Browns have wanted. In giving up 42nd pick, they get Moore and still have the ability to add another player. Time will tell if it proves worth it, but it's a worthwhile roll of the dice for General Manager Andrew Berry and the Browns.
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