The Jets continued to collect weapons for quarterback Zach Wilson in the 2021 NFL Draft, taking wide receiver Elijah Moore with their second-round pick.
Moore, out of Mississippi, is known for his breakaway speed that helped him pile on 1,193 receiving yards in eight games last season, and he hopes to bring his after-the-catch potential to East Rutherford, and become a dynamic playmaker for first-year head coach Robert Saleh.
“I turn into a running back,” Moore said of his ability after the catch. “I played running back my entire life. So after the catch is what I do. I’m more than comfortable doing any of that.”
Moore will become one of the primary targets for Wilson, who was taken second overall on Thursday night. With Wilson, Moore and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Jets are bolstering their offense with shiny new weapons to combat a dreadful defense last season.
“He’s got a great arm,” Moore said of Wilson. “I’m ready to catch a lot of touchdowns.”
Moore turned in an electric collegiate career that included a spot on the All-SEC and the AP All-American team last year, but he does carry a major blemish. His touchdown celebration, mimicking a urinating dog in the 2019 Egg Bowl like Odell Beckham Jr. did with the Giants two years prior, led to a penalty that pushed the game-tying extra point attempt back 15 yards, an attempt that was missed to lose the game for Mississippi.
“You have to learn how to be a man, and when emotions get high and situations get high, just to be under control,” Moore said. “You have to believe moving forward, being in that position again, I’m going to think about that.”
Moore plans on celebrating a load of touchdowns with Wilson in the coming seasons, but expect those celebrations to be a bit more subdued. Still, Moore wouldn’t change the costly mistake that resulted in a heartbreaking loss.
“It’s definitely a blessing in disguise,” Moore said. “I probably got more out of it and I would never change it for the world. If I had to do it over again I would, to understand and be in the position I am now.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
