NFL Rumors: Scouts See Elijah Moore 'In a Different Light Now'; Could Go Round 1

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 29, 2021

Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) runs for yardage during an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Moore was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne/Associated Press

Ole Miss wideout Elijah Moore might be best-known for scoring a potentially game-tying touchdown against Mississippi State in 2019 in the final seconds of the game, only to get flagged for excessive celebration after he pretended to pee like a dog in the end zone.

Mississippi State enforced the penalty on the extra point, Luke Logan missed the 35-yard kick wide right and the Bulldogs won 21-20.

That sort of moment stays with a player. But the narrative is shifting on Moore. Albert Breer of SI.com wrote Monday: "Scouts are looking at him in a different light now. I think he has a shot to sneak into the bottom of the first round, and he could be the fourth receiver taken after LSU's [Ja'Marr] Chase and Alabama's [Jaylen] Waddle and DeVonta Smith, in some order."

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network listed Moore as the No. 38 player in the 2021 NFL draft in his updated big board Monday.

He called Moore "an undersized wideout with outstanding versatility, quickness and toughness" who is "very elusive after the catch." Jeremiah also noted he "makes some huge plays over the top, tracking the ball naturally and showing reliable hands."

In summary: "Moore lacks size, but he'll be a stud in the slot and can also help in the return game."

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PFF Draft @PFF_College
ELIJAH MOORE 🔥 PRO DAY https://t.co/C9ZZGAVJtM

Todd McShay @McShay13
Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore had a great workout today. At 5-9, 178 he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and had a 36-inch vertical jump. He also impressed scouts in his on-field workout. It matches what we see on tape. Moore is making a push for late first round.

The 20-year-old caught 86 passes for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns last season, adding 14 carries for 64 yards. He was an All-America selection at wide receiver alongside Alabama's DeVonta Smith.

Moore has put his painful gaffe in the 2019 Egg Bowl behind him and is a strong candidate to come off the board in the first round of this year's NFL draft.