Darnell Mooney
26-Year-Old
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
31
YDS
414
TD
1
AVG
13.4
TAR
61
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Mooney was a fantastic fifth-round pick by Chicago in 2020, going for 631 yards on 98 targets (6.4 YPT) as a rookie and 1,055 on 140 looks (7.5 YPT) the following season. He then took a step back last year, despite having career highs for catch rate (65.6 percent) and YPT (8.1). The first problem was a lack of volume -- 5.1 targets per game -- in a subpar offense that attempted the fewest passes in the league. Then came a severe ankle injury in late November, which held Mooney out for the final five games and required surgery. The 25-year-old should be healthy for training camp, but his window to operate as a No. 1 receiver seemingly closed with Chicago's offseason trade for DJ Moore. That's a good thing for the team, considered Mooney was miscast as a No. 1. He ran a 4.38 40 at the 2020 combine, but at only 5-10, 176. Moore is about 35 pounds heavier, nearly as fast and only half a year older, with a trio of 1,000-yard seasons to his name. Both have a chance to experience quality QB play for the first time in their careers, with Justin Fields entering his third season after major signs of progress in Year 2. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Joining Kirk Cousins in Atlanta
Mooney and the Falcons have reached agreement on a three-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The deal reportedly is for $39 million, including $26 million in guarantees. It's a good landing spot for Mooney's fantasy value, with the Falcons also set to sign QB Kirk Cousins (Achilles) and lacking depth at WR behind No. 1 option Drake London. The former Bear came into the NFL as a fifth-round pick and had 1,686 receiving yards over his first two seasons, but a severe ankle injury cut his third year short, and he then dropped off to only 414 yards in 15 regular-season games in 2023. If nothing else, Mooney's 4.38 speed should help keep defensive backs honest and leave more space underneath for London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.
The deal reportedly is for $39 million, including $26 million in guarantees. It's a good landing spot for Mooney's fantasy value, with the Falcons also set to sign QB Kirk Cousins (Achilles) and lacking depth at WR behind No. 1 option Drake London. The former Bear came into the NFL as a fifth-round pick and had 1,686 receiving yards over his first two seasons, but a severe ankle injury cut his third year short, and he then dropped off to only 414 yards in 15 regular-season games in 2023. If nothing else, Mooney's 4.38 speed should help keep defensive backs honest and leave more space underneath for London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Darnell Mooney's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
43.9Air Yards Per Snap
0.89% Team Air Yards
18.6%% Team Targets
12.5%Avg Depth of Target
11.0 YdsCatch Rate
50.8%Drop Rate
3.3%Avg Yds After Catch
6.1% Targeted On Route
13.0%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Darnell Mooney lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 Darnell Mooney Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Darnell Mooney's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
173 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.38 secVertical Jump
37.0 inBroad Jump
124 inBench Press
9 repsHand Length
9.63 inArm Length
30.88 in
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Darnell Mooney See More
Most of the big ADP changes can be easily explained, but there are also guys like Isiah Pacheco and Kenneth Walker dropping down the ranks for unclear reasons.
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A pair of QB trades were overshadowed by the Chargers' decision to ship WR Keenan Allen to the Bears.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Buzz for Kansas City
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports there is chatter that Mooney could see a resurgent 2024 season as a member of the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Mooney is coming off a disappointing 2023 season in which he finished with 31 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown -- all career lows. He couldn't produce as Chicago's No. 2 wideout behind DJ Moore, but a change in scenery could help Mooney recapture his production from 2021, when he caught 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. The Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII despite shaky wide receiver play all season, so inserting Mooney along with pass catchers Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice could help Kansas City in its quest for a three-peat.
Mooney is coming off a disappointing 2023 season in which he finished with 31 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown -- all career lows. He couldn't produce as Chicago's No. 2 wideout behind DJ Moore, but a change in scenery could help Mooney recapture his production from 2021, when he caught 81 passes for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. The Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII despite shaky wide receiver play all season, so inserting Mooney along with pass catchers Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice could help Kansas City in its quest for a three-peat.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
Mooney has already proven himself a gem of a fifth-round pick, earning a starting job as a
rookie and clearing 1,000 yards in Year 2. He never had that many yards in a season in run-first
offenses at Tulane, and he might've gone undrafted if not for a 4.38 40 at the 2020 Combine.
The time is less impressive given his slender frame, but Mooney hasn't been bullied too much
by defensive backs, nor has he been pigeon-holed as a mere deep threat. In fact, Mooney has
caught only 10 of 46 targets 20-plus yards downfield in his career (three of 23 as a rookie,
seven of 23 last season). And that's without any drops on the downfield targets, many of which
were misfires or miscommunications. The good news is that Mooney showed rapport last year
with rookie quarterback Justin Fields, who never got it going with Allen Robinson (now on the
Rams). In addition to seeing more cumulative targets, Mooney easily outpaced Robinson in
targets per game (8.2 to 5.5). Now the Bears have Mooney in Year 3, Fields in Year 2 and head
coach Matt Eberflus in Year 1, with former Packers QBs coach Luke Getsy taking over as
offensive coordinator. It should be an improvement on the Matt Nagy era, if nothing else, and
there's no question about Mooney's status as the No. 1 receiver sans Robinson.
More Fantasy News
Not playing in finale
Mooney (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
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Still not practicing
Mooney (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
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Remains in concussion protocol
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Mooney remains in the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't play Week 17
Mooney (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sits out another practice
Mooney (concussion) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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