Packers: Elijah Moore can bring much-needed reliability at slot receiver

In another excellent wide receiver draft, the focus is largely on the merits of the four guys at the top. But beyond the prospects of Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Rashod Bateman at the next level, this class is defined by the tremendous depth of smaller, shiftier receivers who are likely to make their living in the NFL in the slot. Of that group, there are few better than Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore, who could be a superb fit to help Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers get over the hump.

Moore declared for the 2021 draft on the back of two years of impressive production in the SEC for the Rebels. He caught 67 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore and followed that effort with a superb junior season.

Moore a highly productive receiver

In his sole year under head coach Lane Kiffin in Oxford, Moore hauled in 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns, with his numbers and well-rounded skill set, establishing him as one of the better likely day-two options in the draft at receiver.

With the NFL becoming ever more dependent on quick-twitch receivers who can do damage from the slot and out of the backfield due to the success and influence of schemes run by the likes of Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid, Moore could hardly be entering the league at a better time.

And, given the level of interest, there is likely to be in his services, it is not out of the question he could sneak into the back half of the first round, with the perennial league powerhouse in Wisconsin standing out as an ideal destination.