Elijah Moore Shines on Ole Miss Pro Day
Even after putting up stunning numbers this past season, Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore has been a quiet name in this year’s draft thanks to a loaded class of wide receivers. However, on Ole Miss Pro Day, Moore showcased his talent loud and clear for all to see.
OXFORD, Miss. — As scouts from every NFL team packed into Ole Miss’ Indoor Practice Facility on Thursday, Rebel draft-hopefuls Elijah Moore, Royce Newman, Kenny Yeboah, Jalen Julius, Jack Propst, and Luke Logan got ready for the biggest workout of their young careers. All are talented and can play at the next level, but it was Moore who garnered a great deal of attention at Pro Day with his spectacular performance.
Moore as a Rebel
As the main weapon in Lane Kiffin’s offense last season, Moore put up video game numbers in eight games before opting out after the Egg Bowl. In those eight games, he tallied 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and 8 TDs. Those average out to a mind-boggling 10.75 receptions per game, 149.1 yards per game, and 13.9 yards per catch.
He recorded double-digit catches in seven of eight games, and went over 100 yards and 200 yards on three occasions each. If he would have played all 10 games, those averages give you a final stat line of 108 receptions for 1,491 yards and 10 TDs.
Moore was the premier weapon in an Ole Miss offense that averaged 39.4 PPG and 555.5 YPG, both among the best in college football last season. Tight end Kenny Yeboah was second on the team in receptions and yards last year, with 27 catches for 524 yards. The reason I mention that is teams knew Moore was the primary threat — and despite that, he still put up video game numbers every single Saturday.
2021 NFL Draft
Going into the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore has been a bit overshadowed in an exceptionally loaded class of wide receivers by players like LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama’s Devonta Smith.
On Thursday, though, Elijah had the opportunity to make a statement for himself, and boy did he ever.
Moore put on a show in the IPF in a performance that was reminiscent of former-Rebel D.K. Metcalf’s 2019 NFL Combine performance. While DK towers over Elijah in physical stature, the performance was equally stunning in the eyes of NFL scouts.
Moore’s 40-yard dash time (4.32) was faster than all but one wide receiver picked in the 2020 NFL draft – Henry Ruggs, who clocked in at 4.27 seconds. Pro Football Focus (PFF) reports that Moore had the lowest drop percentage of all the SEC wide receivers. And get this…PFF also notes Elijah Moore never — as in EVER — dropped a pass in the red zone in his college career at Ole Miss.
The Moore File
Height: 5-9.5
Weight: 178
Bench: 17 reps
Vertical: 36 inches
Broad Jump: 10-1″
40-Yard Dash: 4.32
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.00
3-Cone Drill: 6.65
Great day at the office for @e_moore03. pic.twitter.com/CAF40IV8qL
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) March 26, 2021
How He Stacks Up Against the Field
According to Pro Football Focus, Elijah Moore, coming out a year early, is the sixth-best wide receiver in this draft class. Given his stats from last season, that’s shocking. However, when you look at who he is up against, you realize the true depth and talent at the wide receiver position in this year’s draft.
If he was in the 2022 NFL draft, Moore would be the number one or two-ranked wide receiver prospect in the entirety of the class.
Chase is the top-ranked wide receiver in this class, despite opting-out of the 2020-21 season. In LSU’s National Championship season, he was Joe Burrow’s top target, hauling in 84 passes for 1,780 yards and an incredible 20 TDs. Behind him, are a duo of Alabama wide receivers in Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
Smith won the Heisman Trophy last season to no one’s surprise. He caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 TDs. And despite never recording a 1,000-yard season at Alabama, Waddle is seen as one of the most dynamic and athletic players in this draft class because of his added impact in special teams.
What Does All This Mean for Elijah Moore?
Honestly, yesterday’s performance was exactly what Moore needed to show scouts what he can do at the next level.
His tape is phenomenal.
He gets open, he makes contested catches (really, he catches anything thrown his way), and he’s outstanding with the ball in his hands.
But with a new format for the NFL Combine this season, due to COVID-19, Moore’s Pro Day was crucial for his draft stock and future.
Elijah Moore (Photo: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
According to most draft analysts — before Pro Day — Elijah was expected to be taken anywhere from the second to fourth rounds. Personally, I think third or fourth would be ridiculously low. After Pro Day, that might have all changed.
As a true slot receiver, Moore is ready to make an instant impact in the right NFL scheme.
Today’s NFL is all about space and speed, two things in which Moore excels. Many are concerned with his size and durability. To that, I say go look at that Tyreek Hill guy. Literally a carbon-copy of Moore’s physical traits.
If you’re worried about durability, I say go look at clips (PLURAL, because there are many) like this. Moore consistently put his body in harm’s way against some of the game’s best and most physical.
#OleMiss WR Elijah Moore (5-foot-9, 178) —
40 times in the mid-to-low 4.3 range. 6.65 3-cone time.
Vertical speed + lateral quicks. Slot ability, schemed matchups/targets. Competitive, tough play-style.
College production & the tape match the testing numbers. @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/ilVzY1UFI8
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 26, 2021
That clip serves two purposes. It shows off Moore’s ability to make contested catches, and it shows just how incredible his route-running is.
The NFL Draft begins on April 29th, and don’t be surprised if Moore sneaks into the first round after his outstanding Pro Day yesterday. I think Moore has an incredibly bright NFL future in a game that is more consistently featuring guys with his skillset.
An NFL slot receiver is asked to do a handful of things:
- Get open – Moore does that almost every time the ball is snapped
- Catch the ball – Do I need to tell you that he does that?
- Make contested catches – See the clip above
- Be elusive in the open field – Did you watch him at all in college?
Elijah Moore on his skills: "I don't know why I don't get picked first. I feel like I'm the best offensive player in the draft. I'm an extremely hard worker."
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) March 25, 2021
And with this kind of confidence? The sky is the limit for the Ole Miss legend.
Hotty Toddy!
