The Denver Broncos didn’t hesitate when Elijah Moore hit the open market in late November. Just days after the wide receiver was released by the Buffalo Bills, Denver swooped in and added him to the practice squad on December 2. Since then, Moore’s been quietly grinding behind the scenes - and now, with the postseason heating up and the Broncos’ receiver room taking some hits, his moment may be arriving.
Moore was elevated to the active roster for Denver’s playoff matchup against Buffalo, though he didn’t suit up for the game. At the time, the Broncos were healthy at wide receiver, and his promotion felt more like a depth move - or maybe even a bit of gamesmanship against his former team.
But things changed quickly.
The Broncos came out of that Bills game with two key injuries at wide receiver. Rookie Troy Franklin went down with a hamstring issue, and Pat Bryant entered concussion protocol. Suddenly, what looked like a well-stocked position group is in need of reinforcements - and Moore, a savvy midseason pickup, is next in line.
Let’s not forget: Elijah Moore has shown he can make plays at the NFL level. The former second-round pick out of Ole Miss had a promising rookie year, catching five touchdowns, and while the last couple of seasons haven’t been smooth sailing, the flashes are still there.
Just last year, he torched the Broncos for 110 yards on eight catches as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Even in limited opportunities with Buffalo this season, he showed glimpses of the explosive potential that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of college.
Now, with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Lil’Jordan Humphrey likely to shoulder the bulk of the receiving load, Moore’s possible elevation this week could give Denver a much-needed spark - or at the very least, another wrinkle for opposing defenses to think about.
And here’s the thing: there’s no tape of Moore in this Broncos offense. That’s a real advantage.
The Patriots won’t have much to go on when it comes to how Denver might deploy him, which could open the door for some creative play-calling or surprise packages. In a playoff setting, every edge matters - especially with Jarrett Stidham now leading the offense.
Stidham, who’s been running the scout team for much of the year, has built some chemistry with Moore during practice. In fact, Moore has earned scout team player of the week honors multiple times since arriving in Denver - a clear sign that he’s been making noise behind the scenes.
Whether he sees a handful of snaps or a more expanded role, Moore is a player to keep an eye on this Sunday. He’s got the talent, he’s got the familiarity with the quarterback, and now, he’s got the opportunity. For a Broncos team looking to keep its playoff run alive, that might be just the boost they need.