Latest news with #ElijahMoore
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Regression is coming for these WRs — one way or another
In this installment of the touchdown trends series, we'll be taking a look at the wide receiver position. Last year's iteration of this piece was a smashing success. Chris Godwin was on pace for 12 scores before injury derailed his season, and both Garrett Wilson and Drake London more than doubled their 2023 touchdown totals in 2024. Meanwhile, while Courtland Sutton was still effective, he regressed slightly in the scoring department, while Tank Dell found the paint just three times in 14 games played. Advertisement [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] As always, the data isn't prophetic — and interpreting it isn't a perfect science — but there's clearly merit in the investigation. As a reminder, the strategy is to evaluate touchdown rates (per target) from various field positions and to spotlight the outlier players on both sides of the sample. Here's a look at the data from the last 10 years to set a baseline. TD Rates by WRs. (Photo by With all this math in mind, here are six names to note coming off last season's results and heading into 2025 fantasy drafts. Which Wide Receiver Should Score More in 2025? Honorable Mention: I'm just going to throw it out there. Elijah Moore has major sleeper potential in Buffalo. After scoring at historically low rates with awful QB play his entire career, the 25-year-old now has a chance to make an impact with Josh Allen. All he has to do is find targets on a depth chart led by Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman,and Joshua Palmer. Not a bad dart throw at the end of best-ball drafts, or a waiver wire flag in redraft. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams 2024 Expected Total TDs - 5.1 2024 Actual Total TDs - 3 Total TDs Below Expectation - 2.1 Advertisement Puka Nacua is another incredibly easy lock to outscore his 2024 touchdown total, as he both missed six games and underperformed in the efficiency department. Nacua has not been a particularly great touchdown scorer in either of his first two seasons, but a lot of that could be attributed to the presence of Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson. Those two receivers saw a combined 48 red-zone targets over the last two years, scoring 16 combined touchdowns, and both are out of the picture for 2025. Granted, they were replaced by Davante Adams, who's an effective red-zone threat himself, but statistically, we should still expect Nacua's red-zone opportunities to increase. [Visit 4for4 for more fantasy football analysis] Additionally, Matthew Stafford was hampered by injuries over various stretches of last season, and posted a 3.9% touchdown rate that fell well below his career average as a result. Given the talent and the tape on both Stafford and Nacua, I'm willing to bet on significant improvement in 2025. In fact, with Nacua's particularly dominant physical skills, I would not be shocked to see a huge touchdown breakout this season. With upwards of 150-160 targets on deck for the 23-year-old, expectation would set the line at 6-7 touchdowns — I'd take the over with the possibility to threaten for double-digit scores. Which Wide Receivers Should Score Less in 2025? Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders 2024 Expected Total TDs - 5.6 2024 Actual Total TDs - 13 Total TDs Above Expectation - 7.4 Advertisement Terry McLaurin's 13 touchdowns on 117 targets for a rate of 11.1% wasn't just the biggest outlier of 2024. It was tied for the third-highest in the last decade among wide receivers with 110+ targets in a season. The only names in that sample to post a higher rate were Mike Evans in 2021 (12.3%) and Davante Adams in 2020 (12.1%). The only other names in the sample to hit 10% or higher were Tyreek Hill (2020), Ja'Marr Chase (2021) and Mike Evans (2024). What I'm trying to tell you is that McLaurin's numbers were exceptionally inflated, and that he is not the caliber of receiver we might trust to repeat in the future. And the culprit was clear: McLaurin scored on 87.5% of his end-zone targets and 71.5% of his red-zone targets. That's patently absurd. As good as Jayden Daniels is — and he's very good — this duo is not going to find that kind of scoring efficiency again in 2025. And while it's not impossible that McLaurin sees a bump in targets — he'd been closer to 130 the prior three years — that's still only six or seven touchdowns at league average scoring rates (which are better, in turn, than his own career rates before last year). McLaurin should be good again — perhaps middling WR2 levels of good — but his receiving TD total betting line is half of his 2025 touchdown total (6.5). There aren't many mathematical certainties in fantasy football, but I'd bet the house McLaurin scores less this season than he did last. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions 2024 Expected Total TDs - 6.8 2024 Actual Total TDs - 12 Total TDs Above Expectation - 5.2 Advertisement Through his first three career seasons, Amon-Ra St. Brown quickly established himself as one of the best possession receivers in the league. During that time, he logged a touchdown rate of 4.9%, almost exactly the league average. Then, in 2024, he hit 8.5% in total, while scoring on nine of 15 red-zone targets (60%). For some context on how "outliery" his production was, St. Brown's 11.0 yards per reception was the lowest by any player wideout to score 12+ touchdowns since T.J. Houshmandzadeh in 2007. St. Brown's skill set is very conducive to high target totals and high reception totals, but not to high touchdown totals. Even in a breakout 2023 season in which he scored 10 touchdowns for the first time, it took him 164 targets to get there at a touchdown rate of 6.1%. On top of the mathematical concerns, we have to consider the departure of Ben Johnson. It's turned me a little sour on most of the Detroit offense at cost (perhaps excluding Jahmyr Gibbs), as I think it will hurt the offense's overall efficiency and presence in the red zone. We've also heard reports that the coaching staff is getting excited about Jameson Williams, who was a surprisingly effective scoring threat last year and could record more raw touchdowns in 2025. All told, despite how excellent ARSB is as a slot receiver and a possession star, I would almost guarantee he drops back below double-digit touchdowns in 2025. That does raise some concern at his first-round ADP. And while St. Brown is the safer bet with the higher floor, he has an even lower ceiling than someone like Brian Thomas Jr. does, and the missing touchdowns are a major reason why. This story originally appeared in its full form on
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Earn Notable Ranking For 'Scattershot' Approach This Offseason
Bills Earn Notable Ranking For 'Scattershot' Approach This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills were three points away from a Super Bowl appearance in 2024, with Josh Allen having the ball last, but failed to get into field goal range. Advertisement Once again, the Bills fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, and this offseason has seen the franchise address what they think are the big weaknesses of the roster. Allen got three new weapons in Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, and Laviska Shenault Jr., but the big change was defensively with the Bills adding pass rush help with Joey Bosa, along with Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi. Plus, Buffalo's first five draft picks went on defense. Such has been the Bills' offseason work, CBS Sports has ranked it in the top 10. "Buffalo's offense was already in good shape, but Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore could be assets to that unit," CBS Sports writes. "The real changes were made on defense through a scattershot approach. Along the front seven, they added veterans Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi, as well as rookies T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson and Deone Walker. They get dinged a bit because Ogunjobi and Hoecht will serve six-game suspensions to open the season, but the collection of those players should lead to improved results." Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium.© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Offensively, the Bills appear set, with the addition of Palmer expected to give Allen his deep ball back, complementing slot star Khalil Shakir, along with Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid. Advertisement But the biggest difference should be defensively, and Buffalo's ability to get off the field on critical downs. The Bills managed just 39 sacks in 2024 last season (ranked 18th), while the defense allowed a third-down conversion 44 percent of the time (ranked 30th). That is the two biggest areas the Bills think they've improved. And the hope is that the investment in free agency and the draft will be one of the reasons the 2025 season will be a successful one for Related: Heisman Trophy QB Matt Leinart Speaks Out On Bills Mafia Related: Analyst Not Sold On Bills As Super Bowl Threat This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Veteran Bills Receiver Predicted to Be Cut
Veteran Bills Receiver Predicted to Be Cut originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the Buffalo Bills didn't add a true No. 1 receiver this offseason, they truly beefed up the room with veteran depth. Buffalo added a trio of seasoned receivers who are expected to compete for a spot on the depth chart down to the last day of camp. Advertisement The trio of Laviska Shenault, Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore will be competing for a pair of 53-man roster spots. Nick Sabato of the Niagara Gazette predicts that Shenault will fall short, on the assumption that Buffalo would only carry five receivers, and Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman's jobs are all safe. Keeping just five receivers would be less than Buffalo has carried in recent years, but it would give the Bills another spot for a cornerback, an obvious position of need after Rasul Douglas hit free agency. Cornerback, like receiver, has been a position Buffalo is just throwing a handful of veterans at, hoping one or two stick. 'The Bills taking five receivers without special teams value is unusual, but it makes room for an extra cornerback,' Sabato wrote. Sabato further predicted the Bills would keep two of last season's practice squad players in Tyrell Shavers and Jalen Virgil, with rookie Kaden Prather being added to the practice squad. Advertisement Sabato isn't alone in predicting Shenault as the odd man out. Sal Maiorana of the Democrat & Chronicle predicted Shenault would struggle to make the final roster based on his merit as a receiver alone, especially with the addition of Moore. But, Maiorana noted that Shenault's ability and versatility in the return game could keep him in town. 'The Moore signing might push Shenault off the roster unless he can definitively win the kickoff return job and contribute elsewhere on special teams,' Maiorana wrote. Shenault returned 16 kicks for 28.7 yards-per-return with one touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks last season. WGR 550's Sal Capaccio suggested the Bills may have had that in mind when they signed Shenault. Bills' head coach Sean McDermott serves on the rules committee, and new that a rule change was coming that would encourage more kickoff returns, making Shenault more valuable. Advertisement 'My assessment of the Bills Lavishka Shenault signing: I think it has a lot to do with the possibility of touchbacks on kickoffs being moved to the 35,' Capaccio shared in a post on X. 'Sean McDermott is on the competition committee. He knows this could be happening (not a certainty).' Related: Bills' Joe Brady Impressed With Free Agent 'Buy In' Related: Bills Can't Hide The Truth About James Cook This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Browns WR Elijah Moore drawing rave reviews from new Bills teammates
Former Browns WR Elijah Moore drawing rave reviews from new Bills teammates Wide receiver Elijah Moore departed the Cleveland Browns for the Buffalo Bills late into NFL free agency, but he is already seeing praise heaped upon him by his new teammates. The particular Bills teammate? Pro Bowl and former first round cornerback Tre'Davious White. Unprompted, White had this to say on the now-former Browns and New York Jets wideout looking for a fresh start on his third team: 'He's gonna be a big-time player for us. Route running is amazing, getting in and out, his breaks is amazing.' Moore finished his two-year stint with the Browns with just 1,178 yards receiving and three touchdowns, catching the football from a wide multitude of quarterbacks in that span under some lackluster offenses. Both seasons, however, were career-highs for Moore after coming over from the Jets in a trade before the 2023 NFL draft. Now playing with the first stable quarterback of his entire career, is Moore destined for a breakout season in Buffalo? Besides, Moore did flash in the brown and orange with quarterback Joe Flacco providing the most consistent quarterback play he has seen in his NFL career. It would certainly be a tough pill to swallow in Cleveland if he produces at a high level while catching passes from reigning MVP Josh Allen.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Bills Receiver Speaks Out On Josh Allen, 2025 Offense
New Bills Receiver Speaks Out On Josh Allen, 2025 Offense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Elijah Moore has been quite unlucky through the first few years of his career. Originally a second-round pick by the New York Jets, Moore has played with a multitude of quarterbacks each season he has been in the league. Advertisement That may change in 2025, though. Moore signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Instead of playing with quarterbacks like Zach Wilson or Deshaun Watson, Moore gets to play with the reigning league MVP in Josh Allen. And he couldn't be more thrilled. "Buffalo already has been nothing but great to me already," Moore said on X. "This place really takes care of their people." Moore later went on after OTAs on Tuesday with WGR 550 in Buffalo to discuss how important it was to go to a place with an established signal-caller. And Allen is as good as it gets at the quarterback position. Advertisement "When I wasn't in, I was just watching him, because obviously I'm on the other side of it now," Moore said. "I've been playing against him for going into four years now, and it just looked better now that he's on my side. The balls were pretty. The way that he practices, he jokes around, but at the same time, he's locked in." Moore can be a very impactful player for Buffalo over the next few months. That much is obvious. The Bills do not have a sure-fire No. 1 receiver on the roster right now. Could Moore grow to be that? Only time will tell, but having a good quarterback throwing him the ball should help in that regard. Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
