The Atlanta Falcons have landed former Chicago Bears wideout Darnell Mooney on a three-year, $39 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Atlanta lands another weapon for new quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Mooney joins a loaded skill-position group that includes running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wide receiver Drake London.
Darnell Mooney Career Summary
Mooney enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Tulane, leading the Green Wave in receiving as a junior and senior. However, he wasn’t an upper-echelon prospect coming into the NFL draft. The 5’11 speedster was selected in the fifth round by the Bears in 2020.
Falcons are signing former Bears WR Darnell Mooney: 3 years, $39 million, including 26M fully guaranteed. Agents David Mulugheta and AJ Stevens negotiated and confirmed deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Mooney quickly proved to be a value pick for Chicago, accruing 61 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. He then enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign, playing with then-rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Mooney totaled 81 catches for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns that year. However, the 26-year-old has regressed since then, totaling just 917 yards over his last two seasons combined.
Darnell Mooney’s Utilization
The Falcons are notorious for misusing their skill position talent. A famous example is Pitts, who many fantasy football players complain is not used nearly enough in the passing attack. However, Mooney’s speed and ability to take the top off the defense should be able to help Atlanta open up more looks for its other targets.
#Falcons’ new look offense:
QB: Kirk Cousins
RB: Bijan Robinson
RB: Tyler Allgeier
WR: Drake London
WR: Darnell Mooney
WR: Van Jefferson
TE: Kyle Pitts(?: @catchtheblitz) pic.twitter.com/6Lawnjpyey
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 12, 2024
Cousins will easily be Mooney’s best signal-caller at the NFL level. Additionally, new head coach Raheem Morris will have a completely different offensive system than Arthur Smith, so the club’s past skill-position sins shouldn’t be a worry here.
Atlanta Falcons Outlook
Since Morris is a defensive-minded coach, the offense will be run by new coordinator Zac Robinson. Formerly the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterbacks coach, he was a part of the Super Bowl-winning 2021 staff. He takes over an offense that ranked 22nd in passing last year, albeit with former quarterback Desmond Ridder taking snaps.
With a brand-new signal caller and coaching staff, Atlanta’s offense should be able to open up looks for Darnell Mooney. Defenses also won’t be able to sell out for the pass, as they’ll have to account for Robinson’s rushing prowess. While Mooney won’t be the first target, expect him to have a resurgence barring injury.
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Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay.
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