Browns two-round mock draft madness nets 1st-round WR

Round 1, Pick 26, Elijah Moore, Miss St.

You thought taking a wide receiver in the second round was bold, Trapasso goes next level by sending a receiver the Browns way with the 26th pick.

Frankly, I don’t understand it, either. Trapasso called it an “off the radar” selection, and he’s right. Moore is a 5-foot-9 receiver, who possesses great speed. Sure, he’s a talent I wouldn’t mind having, but with so many other needs on the team, I don’t see how Cleveland gambles on him here.

You may remember Moore from the 2019 Egg Bowl. He scored a touchdown with four seconds left, but then celebrated by imitating a dog urinating. The flag moved the extra point try back 15 yards and the kicker muffed it.

Moore rebounded in 2020 by putting together his best season. He caught 86 balls for 1,193 yards (13.8 yards per catch average) and eight touchdowns. He just ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.

Moore recently drew comparisons to Tyler Lockett and Tavon Austin by Pro Football Focus.

I had the Browns going with LSU’s Terrance Marshall Jr. in the second round in a recent mock, but if Moore’s there, I’d be comfortable taking him. Jarvis Landry will be back, while Donovan Peoples-Jones should see more reps as OBJ works his way back from injury. Rashard Higgins also returned, signing a one-year contract.

Something’s got to give in the receiver room after 2020. Whether that’s restructuring, or finally trading Beckham, well, it remains to be seen. You need receivers to make plays, though, and Moore certainly can with his speed.