Elijah Moore

New York Jets select shifty UNC running back Michael Carter, what to know

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jets, michael carter

The New York Jets have selected RB Michael Carter from the University of North Carolina with the 107th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After drafting QB Zach Wilson from Bringham Young University, IOL Alijah Vera Tucker, and certified weapon from Ole Miss Elijah Moore. Now, the plan to put Zach Wilson in the best position possible continues. The Jets drafted a talented back in Carter.

In High School, Carter ran for over 2,500 yards in his senior season. The explosiveness carried over to Chapel Hill as he had 3,404 yards in his time with the Tarheels. That number puts him in the record books with the fourth best total in the school’s history. His burst and athleticism is evident in all facets of his game.

Last season on the ground, he rushed for a whopping 8.0 yards per carry, which was fifth in the NCAA last season. He also had 684 yards before contact, which was fourth best in the college ranks last year. On top of that, he had 267 yards receiving and 11 total scores last season. Oh yeah, and he did this alongside fellow draft pick and now Bronco running back Javonte Williams.

His talent is apparent, and he’s an even better guy off the field. He was voted team captain, and despite the fact he and Williams could’ve been at odds competing for reps, he was happy taking whatever role possible to benefit the team. Carter projects as a top-tier change of pace back at the next level, and he will slot in with Tevin Coleman, La’Mical Perine, and Ty Johnson as the backfield committee looks set heading into the 2021-22 season. This should allow the pressure on Zach Wilson to continue to ease while providing Mike LaFleur even more weapons in his first season as Offensive Coordinator.

New York Giants could target electric receiver in 2nd round

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New York Giants, Elijah Moore

The New York Giants are still looking for offensive support this off-season, whether it comes through the NFL draft or free agency. One way or another, they need to offer quarterback Daniel Jones more weapons on offense, otherwise, he will struggle once again to get things going in the passing game, and his protection may be lackluster for the third season in a row.

As we know, the Giants had the 31st ranked offense in 2020, averaging 17.5 points per game and had the worst-rated pass-blocking OL in the NFL. Coordinator Jason Garrett also developed poor route concepts but put together a decent running game that the Giants were forced to rely on. Opponents simply played cover-0 and cover-1 for most of the contest, forcing the Giants to get rid of the ball quickly and make the receivers beat man-coverage. Ultimately, their plan worked for the most part, but the Giants’ defense rose to the occasion and helped them extract a few improbable wins.

Now, the Giants are looking toward this off-season to help Jones, and there’s one receiver in the second round that could fit the bill.

Should the New York Giants target Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore?

While Moore has a mid-second-round grade, if a team likes a player for their scheme, it is never too early to make that selection after the first round. Traditionally, taking the best player available is the most efficient thing to do in the first, but the Giants have the 43rd overall pick and can draft an immediate impact player to help their offense. There are several options that meet the eye, including Rondale Moore from Purdue or even Terrace Marshall from LSU if he happens to drop.

Moore, though, had a fantastic 2020 campaign, posting 1193 yards and a touchdown over just eight games. He averaged 13.9 yards perception, a career-high. In fact, all three of these categories were highs for him at Mississippi, and now he’s preparing to make the transition to the NFL. As a former four-star recruit, Moore is 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds but plays with fantastic strength and elusiveness in the open field.

Moore has the ability to align inside and out, but his dynamic style of play is what makes him so attractive. He has fantastic agility and the ability to stop on a dime and change direction. He isn’t the most refined route runner, he has fantastic speed and the ability to break tackles in the open field. He is a big-play threat at any given moment, which is something the Giants desperately need to help Jones in the short/intermediate range of the field.

One of the major attractions when it comes to Elijah is his ability to separate — which the Giants struggled with considerably in 2020. I see him as a stellar receiver in the 0-15 yard range, which is exactly what the Giants need for Jones, especially if the OL is going to be lackluster in pass protection again. Jones needs to get the ball out quickly, and having a receiver who can create separation and present a reliable target is a positive. The problem, he is small and isn’t much of a contested catcher but rather utilizes his speed and agility to get open.

While I likely wouldn’t select him with the 43rd overall pick, if the Giants executed a trade back and acquired another selection in the 2nd, I would consider him a few spots back. He has the ability to make an impact right away, and he would fit the Giants’ game well in the slot to replace Golden Tate.

New York Giants: Potential draft replacements for Golden Tate

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New York Giants, Amari Rodgers

The New York Giants are revamping their offense this offseason. The Giants averaged a putrid 17.5 points per game in 2020. Dave Gettleman and John Mara promised to add playmakers to New York’s offense this offseason. However, the Giants are tight on salary cap space and have begun cutting players to make room.

This week, the Giants released veteran wide receiver Golden Tate after two years with the team. Cutting Tate freed up $6.2 million in salary cap space. But now the Giants’ offense, which already lacked playmakers, is without its starting slot receiver. New York is already expected to target outside wide receivers in free agency and the draft, but they will need to find a new receiver to man the slot.

Thankfully, the 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with wide receiver talent. There are talented wide receivers for the Giants to target on the outside or in the slot. In the middle rounds, New York might be able to find a gem of a slot receiver to replace Golden Tate.

Slot receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft

Amari Rodgers

Golden Tate’s key strength throughout his career in the NFL has been his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. He was touted as a “YAC King” because of his playmaking ability. Clemson’s Amari Rodgers is a gym rat whose game mirrors Golden Tate’s in multiple ways.

Rodgers topped 1,000 receiving yards in Clemson’s offense this season along with 7 touchdowns on 77 receptions. He is a shorter wide receiver at 5 feet 9 inches but he has a surplus of strength and size at 211 pounds. Amari Rodgers moves like a running back but is aggressive at the catch point and has the ball skills of an outside wide receiver.

Amari is an exciting slot receiver prospect. He has reliable hands and solid athleticism, combined with his stocky build and physical playing style. Rodgers looks like a young Golden Tate clone at times on the field. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Amari Rodgers is expected to be drafted in the later rounds, making him a perfect target for the Giants to take a chance on as an additional slot receiver.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

USC has been churning out talented wide receiver prospects on an annual basis. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Michael Pittman Jr., and now, Amon-Ra St. Brown. The brother of the Green Bay Packers’ Equanimeous St. Brown, Amon-Ra, is entering the NFL this year. While he played primarily on the outside in college, St. Brown could find himself playing a slot receiver role at the next level.

Amon-Ra is a 6 foot 1 inch, 195 pound wide receiver that the Giants could consider targeting in the second or third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. St. Brown is skilled at the catch point and demonstrated versatility in college. He lined up in the slot and outside and made plays from both positions. St. Brown was a playmaker for USC, recording 13 touchdowns in his final 19 games along with 1,520 receiving yards.

His experience in the slot and outside could make St. Brown an enticing prospect for the Giants, a team that needs help at both wide receiver positions. His experience at both positions also gives Amon-Ra a full route tree at his disposable to unleash in his rookie season. Amon-Ra St. Brown might not be that dominant primary receiving threat the Giants are hoping to find, but he could be an excellent complimentary piece in Jason Garrett’s offense.

Elijah Moore

The Giants could target an exciting slot receiver prospect out of Ole Miss in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Elijah Moore is the next best receiver prospect to enter the league out of Ole Miss. Of course, DK Metcalf and AJ Brown are Ole Miss products that have turned into dominant primary receivers for their respective NFL teams.

Elijah Moore is projected to be a prototypical slot receiver in the NFL, despite playing his fair share of snaps on the outside in college. Moore is a tough receiver that is not afraid to make ugly plays over the middle of the field. He runs some impressive routes and has some of the most reliable hands in the draft class. Moore only dropped 2 passes in his 2020, per PFF.

He did line up outside sometimes, but Elijah Moore only faced press coverage 38 times. Elijah looks plays like a young Cole Beasley and should make an impact immediately in the NFL as a slot receiver.

New York Giants: One potential first round wide receiver who isn’t getting enough attention

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New York Giants, Elijah Moore

The New York Giants have been linked to players like Jaylen Waddle, Kyle Pitts, and a bevy of other wide receiver options in the 2021 NFL draft. It is expected that the Giants will utilize a premium draft selection to acquire a player at the position, as quarterback Daniel Jones desperately needs help in the passing game.

This past season, Jones threw just 11 touchdowns compared to 24 in 2019, showing a tremendous drop off in production. However, while Jones deserves some of the blame, the wide receivers were unable to create separation and get open downfield. It is also fair to lump Jason Garrett into the equation, considering his route concepts were lackluster didn’t push the field vertically.

The Giants could wait until the second round to acquire a WR, though, and one underrated player isn’t being talked about enough. Mississippi receiver Elijah Moore is just as talented as any option in the first round, and he’s a player they could slip as a 5-foot-9 and 185-pound receiver. Thanks to a fantastic Lane Kiffin offense at Ole Miss in 2020, Moore saw his statistics skyrocket.

In 2019, Moore posted 850 yards and six touchdowns but logged 1193 yards and eight touchdowns this past season as Mississippi’s primary offensive weapon. As a former four-star prospect, Moore has always been a highly-touted receiver, and he finally hit his stride this past year. His professional comparison is Steve Smith, formerly of the Carolina Panthers.

How would Moore help the New York Giants?

While Moore is primarily a slot receiver, he has the athleticism and speed to create separation and make incredible plays after the catch. His ability to stop and start is unparalleled, and with a healthy blend of great route running and explosive athleticism, he’s a player that has an incredible ceiling.

The Giants could desperately use a dynamic receiver, and there are other receivers who offer similar traits, including Waddle, Rondale Moore, and Kadarius Toney.

Elijah is a player who could slip to the second round right into the Giants’ lap with the 43rd overall pick, so even if they do end up taking a defensive player like Micah Parsons or Patrick Surtain, they can find fantastic value at the WR position later on. If they are looking for playmaking talent that can create separation and make plays in the open field, Elijah Moore might be their guy.