Elijah Moore opened his initial training-camp practice with the Jets with the second offensive unit, but the rookie wide receiver already is making an impression with his new teammates and coaching staff.
Corey Davis, who signed a three-year deal worth $37.5 million to be the team’s No. 1 receiver following four seasons with the Titans, described the Jets’ second-round pick out of Ole Miss as “a baller” with the mindset of an established veteran.
“Elijah, he’s a great player, man, a great dude. He’s real comfortable out there, like he’s been here before. He doesn’t really seem like a rookie,” Davis said after the opening practice session Wednesday in Florham Park. “His mindset is crazy. He’s out there, he’s leading the guys, and I’m real happy we got this dude.
“He’s a baller, on and off the field. I can’t wait to see what he does for us.”
Robert Saleh said the 5-foot-10 Moore made “a couple of good plays” in Wednesday’s practice, but like Davis, the first-year head coach especially likes the way the rookie wideout confidently carries himself.
“He walks in that building, and you’d think he’s been in this building for 10 years,” Saleh said. “He asks all the right questions. He’s putting in the work. He’s an impressive young man. Excited to see him grow.”
The 21-year-old Moore signed his rookie four-year deal worth $8.94 million last week, leaving quarterback Zach Wilson, the No. 2-overall selection, as the organization’s lone unsigned draft pick at the onset of camp. Inexperienced Mike White and James Morgan were the only rostered quarterbacks in practice Wednesday.
Moore finished second behind Heisman Trophy receiver DeVonta Smith among FBS receivers in receptions (86) and receiving yards (1,193) — despite sitting out the Rebels’ final two games. Saleh last week called Moore “dynamic” and “extremely versatile,” adding, “There’s not a lot of things he can’t do.”
Davis posted 65 receptions for a career-best 984 yards (15.1 per catch) with five touchdowns last season in 14 games for the Titans. Davis and Moore join a revamped receiver corps that also features Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole and second-year man Denzel Mims.
“He can do a lot, not only for me, but for this team,” Davis said of Moore, an all-SEC selection in 2020. “He does a lot in the return game, and obviously catching the ball, and making it happen after he catches the ball. He’s real special, for sure.”