Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White has a good pulse on the team now that he’s returned.
When asked recently at the Bills organized team activities about players he’s noticed who have taken a step while he was gone, White did bring up one newcomer: wide receiver Elijah Moore.
“Elijah Moore, like he’s gonna be a big-time player for us, too,” White said at last week’s OTAs. “Like route running is amazing, getting in and out, his brakes is amazing. So, like that’s a guy that’s gonna make the defensive backs better, too.”
Bills wide receiver Elijah Moore catches a pass during practice at One Bills Drive on Tuesday.
Derek Gee, Buffalo News
Moore joined the Bills on a one-year contract in May. Now that OTAs are here, he’s getting a chance to build rapport with his new teammates.
In his career, with stops with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns after playing collegiately at Ole Miss, the 25-year-old Moore had yet to play with a quarterback of Allen’s caliber. So, what’s it like catching a pass from the MVP?
“It felt great,” Moore said. “He threw me a pass last week, and all I could do was smile, yeah. It just felt so seamlessly and just fluid.”
Moore considers himself an extremely positive person. It’s something he brought up multiple times during his first news conference with Buffalo media, and it’s something important he thinks he’s bringing to the locker room.
In that locker room, he’s finding the kind of relationships he’s been seeking in the NFL.
“It’s a brotherhood that is very, very tight-knit and close, and you can’t fake it, you know, when you come in,” he said. “I’ve been on two other teams, and we’ve all been close, but this has taken time. But (here), they welcomed me in as soon as I came. So, it’s just nothing but a blessing for me.”
The bonds happen quickly in Buffalo, an important aspect of team culture. Moore saw that happen, and he knows it translates to the field.
“Of course, you want a team and to go into situations where everybody kind of just is easygoing,” Moore said. “And this team, they’re not faking being close, they actually are very, very close, and credit to why – that’s why they win.”
Then-Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore runs after a catch against the Lions in 2022. He spent his first two NFL seasons with the Jets, making 80 receptions for 984 yards.
Adam Hunger, Associated Press
Part of why Moore is getting close quickly is from his time spent at the facility. Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady has seen it up close as the wide receiver works to play anywhere on the field.
“You get a guy like Elijah. I feel like he’s living here, wanting to just kind of embody it,” Brady said. “Play inside, play outside. Figure out, hey, what can he, what is Josh thinking on these plays? What’s the why? Elijah, we’re from the same area (growing up in Florida), so I’ve been following him, I feel like his whole career. And it’s been really cool of just seeing his approach, his demeanor, a guy that doesn’t speak much, but just kind of works.”
The key to Moore is being consistent in his approach.
“Just do my job,” Moore said. “Whatever, whenever my number’s called, to be the best version of myself.”
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