The Denver Broncos are taking a swing at talent. In a move that signals a continued search for offensive explosiveness, the team signed veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore to their practice squad on Monday. The transaction, first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, comes just days after Moore was waived by the Buffalo Bills.
To make room for Moore on the 17-man practice squad, Denver released rookie wide receiver Kyrese Rowan. While practice squad moves often fly under the radar this late in the season, the addition of a former second-round pick with 4.35 speed is significant. It suggests that Sean Payton and the Broncos front office are looking for another gear for rookie quarterback Bo Nix as they eye a postseason push.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity
For Denver, bringing in Elijah Moore is a textbook low-risk, high-reward proposition. Moore isn’t just a standard practice squad body; he is a 24-year-old wideout with significant NFL experience and elite athletic traits.
Elijah Moore entered the league with high expectations as the 34th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. His pre-draft profile was built on speed and playmaking ability, highlighted by a blistering 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Denver is betting that the talent that made him a highly touted prospect is still there, waiting to be unlocked by the right offensive system.
The “practice squad” designation is merely a formality for a player of Moore’s caliber. In the modern NFL, the practice squad often serves as a staging ground for veterans learning a new playbook. If Moore acclimates quickly to Sean Payton’s scheme, expect to see him elevated to the active roster sooner rather than later.
Examining Elijah Moore’s NFL Journey
Moore’s path to Denver has been turbulent, but productive in spurts. He spent his first two seasons with the New York Jets, flashing potential before requesting a trade. He was dealt to the Cleveland Browns in March 2023, where he had arguably his most consistent stretch as a pro.
Ironically, one of Moore’s best performances came against the Broncos. Last season, while playing for Cleveland, he torched the Denver secondary for 111 yards on eight receptions. That game tape is likely stuck in the minds of the Broncos’ coaching staff and front office.
In total, Elijah Moore has appeared in 70 career games with 42 starts. He has hauled in 209 receptions for 2,274 yards and nine touchdowns. His 2024 stint with the Buffalo Bills was brief and underwhelming, resulting in just nine catches for 112 yards before his release in late November. However, his production in Cleveland (61 catches, 538 yards in 2023) proves he can be a contributor in a functional passing attack.
