Notes: Browns get WR Moore from Jets for draft pick
CLEVELAND — The Browns found the offensive speed they need.
Adding another playmaker for quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland acquired wide receiver Elijah Moore in a trade with the New York Jets, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Browns have agreed to send the No. 42 pick in this year’s draft to the Jets for Moore and the No. 74 selection.
The Jets parted with Moore, a second-round pick in 2021, shortly after agreeing to terms with former Kansas City wide receiver Mecole Hardman on a one-year deal.
While Moore, who will turn 23 next week, hasn’t put up big numbers, he’s quick and versatile and gives Clevelland’s offense another wrinkle to support Watson and a strong running game.
Moore had 37 catches for 446 yards and one touchdown last season, but was unhappy with his role and asked for a trade. He became disgruntled due to a lack of pass-catching opportunities and asked to be dealt in October.
The 25-year-old Hardman spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs after being a second-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2019. He has 151 catches for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career and has rushed 20 times for 125 yards and two scores.
LB Walker returning to Browns
CLEVELAND — Free agent linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is returning to the Cleveland Browns after missing most of last season with an injury. He has agreed to a one-year contract.
The 27-year-old tore a quadriceps tendon in Week 3 and missed the rest of 2022. Without him, Cleveland’s defense not only lost an experienced player but one of its top communicators and leaders. Walker signed with the Browns in 2021 after four seasons with Indianapolis.
Raiders sign Long, Hooper
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Austin Hooper and cornerback David Long Jr. on Wednesday.
Hooper caught 41 passes for 444 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Tennessee Titans. He is the potential replacement for Darren Waller. Hooper is a two-time Pro Bowl selection when he played for the Atlanta Falcons. He has 339 receptions for 3,468 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career. Waller was dealt to the New York Giants for a third-round draft pick.
Vikings add two
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with two free agents: wide receiver Brandon Powell and linebacker Troy Reeder.
Both Powell and Reeder were on the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams team in the 2021 season with current Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. He was the offensive coordinator there.
Powell is also a return specialist. He had a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Vikings on Dec. 26, 2021. Reeder played last season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
TE Moreau has cancer
NFL free-agent tight end Foster Moreau posted on Twitter that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during a physical with the New Orleans Saints. The 25-year-old Moreau said he was stepping away from football for now and vowed to beat the cancer.
Moreau played the previous four seasons for the Raiders. They took him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of LSU when the Las Vegas team was based in Oakland. He set career highs last season with 33 catches for 420 yards. Moreau also caught two touchdown passes.
