Packers.com consulted more than a dozen mock drafts from reputable national outlets and compiled a list of players most frequently mocked as draft selections in the bottom third of the first round (picks 20-32).
Between now and draft day, when the Packers are slated to select at No. 29 overall, those players will be profiled with thumbnail sketches in a new series entitled "Draft Digest."
Today's player is …
Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi
Height/Weight: 5-9, 178
Key stats: Led the nation in 2020 in receptions per game (10.8) and receiving yards per game (149.1) with eight TDs.
College honors: Selected first-team All-America from multiple outlets as well as first team All-Southeastern Conference and a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
Background: Moore's monster season in 2020 boosted him into the discussion regarding the best slot receivers in this draft amongst a fairly deep group. He broke Tennessee Titans standout A.J. Brown's single-season school record for receptions, with 86, in just eight games, and his 1,193 yards came up only 127 shy of Brown's mark in that category, which he set in 12 games. The huge year took attention away from what Moore was best known for in 2019, a crass, tasteless (and penalized) end-zone celebration that cost his team a chance to win or go to overtime in the Egg Bowl rivalry vs. Mississippi State. At his size, Moore is not suited to play outside receiver, but with his speed (4.32 40 at Ole Miss pro day) and elusiveness he can be a dangerous weapon in an NFL offense. Taking him in the first round is too high for some analysts, but the playmaking ability could move him up to Day 1.
Potential fit with Packers: When the Packers acquired the small, shifty Tyler Ervin late in the 2019 season, Head Coach Matt LaFleur found a role for him on offense very quickly, running jet sweeps and slot routes. With Ervin injured much of 2020, the Packers tried again with veteran Tavon Austin. There's clearly a desire to have a speedy, slot receiver-type as a regular (and flexible) piece in Green Bay's offense, which makes Moore and others like him intriguing pieces to keep an eye on in this draft. With the Packers' return game rather moribund of late, Moore – who did return punts, and some kicks, in college – would be a welcome addition there, too.
View all the Draft Digest profiles here.
