Can Elijah Moore save the Detroit Lions receiver corps?
The Detroit Lions entered the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night with their biggest roster need likely being at the wide receiver position. That after the Lions allowed wideouts Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, Marvin Jones Jr., and Jamal Agnew all to leave the team this offseason.
In their place, new Lions general manager Brad Holmes assembled a group of free-agent wideouts that fit offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s scheme. Detroit signed veteran receivers Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Khalif Raymond, and Damion Ratley to fill that need.
Still, the position of wide receiver figured to be a major focus for Holmes and his war room during the draft. But despite having the opportunity to add Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith out of Alabama to the roster during the first round of the draft on Thursday night, the Lions elected to take the best offensive lineman in the class with the seventh overall pick instead, Oregon’s Penei Sewell.
Entering day two of the NFL draft on Friday night, the Lions have three total selections in rounds two and three. They own picks No. 41, No, 72, and No. 101. At least one of those selections seems destined to be a wide receiver.
According to the team’s official website, DetroitLions.com, several draftniks have the Pride selecting Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore on day two of the draft. The 5-foot-9, 178-pound slot receiver is considered by some to be the top wideout prospect going into the second round. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein actually compared Moore to Antonio Brown.
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A route technician, the quick and elusive Elijah Moore plays much bigger than his diminutive frame. He also possesses great hands and the grit the current regime in Detroit seems to covet. In only eight games as a junior, Moore was able to rack up 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns in 2020. He averaged a whopping 13 catches and 200 yards over his final three games at Ole Miss while scoring a total of five touchdowns.