Darnell

Mooney

Mooney saw most of his usage early in the game, getting Kirk Cousins’ first two targets. However, that only conveyed into one catch as he was barely heard from the rest of the game. Mooney is not a top-two option for the Falcons offense and is a wide receiving option only in deeper leagues.

Drake London reiterated Hilliard’s objectives, saying the “ball’s gonna be in the air” and “slow feet don’t eat.” The Falcons’ new OC Zac Robinson, formerly the Rams’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, helped guide the Rams 2023 offense to NFL’s highest 11 personnel (three wide receivers) snap count (1,144) while utilizing a 60.4 percent passing rate in one-score games, 5.6 percent higher than the Falcons’ 54.8 percent rate. Waack noted slot receiver Rondale Moore and downfield specialist Darnell Mooney’s respective 4.29- and 4.38-second 40-yard dashes. The trio, side-kicked by Kyle Pitts (4.44 seconds at Florida’s pro day), possess the requisite speed to achieve Hilliard’s goal.

When asked about potential tampering violations back in May, Cousins said, “There’s not a whole lot there.” The league, clearly thinking otherwise, has decided there was enough to not only dock the Falcons a future draft pick but also fine the team $250,000 and general Terry Fontenot $50,000. At his introductory press conference with the team back in March, Cousins more or less admitted to tampering when he talked about having contact with the team and free agent signee Darnell Mooney before the official start of the league year. In a statement put out by the league regarding the Falcons’ violation, the NFL said, “While the [anti-tampering] policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period, any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players.”

Mooney’s deal with Atlanta will reportedly include $26 million guaranteed, quite the haul considering Mooney’s sparse production over four years with the Bears. The Chiefs had reportedly been interested in Mooney, 26, who instead signs with a Falcons offense now quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins. A speedy deep threat, Mooney should function well as Atlanta’s WR2 behind Drake London. Cousins in 2023 ranked seventh among all QBs in completion rate over expected on throws of at least 20 yards downfield. Mooney should get plenty of chances for splash plays in what will be a pass-heavy Atlanta offense.

Fowler notes that there are other teams interested in Mooney as well. Mooney’s final season in Chicago was a disaster. He ended the year with just 31 receptions for 414 yards and a single touchdown. He posted similar numbers in 2022 while playing in three fewer games. It wasn’t all bad for him in the Windy City though. In 2021, Mooney topped 1,000 yards and scored four times while showing off his game-changing speed every other week. He would be the ideal replacement for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who the Chiefs cut after a quiet 2023 season. If Mooney can reclaim his 2021 form, he would be a massive upgrade over MVS. A move to Kansas City would also reunite him with Matt Nagy, his head coach during that breakout campaign.

Mooney will now miss the final two games of his fourth season because of the brain injury. He ends the year with 31 catches for 414 yards and a lone touchdown. The most memorable play of his 2023 campaign came in Week 14 when a hail mary deflected into his waiting arms. Instead of catching to ball and securing an improbable win, Mooney bobbled the football before kicking it into the hands of a Cleveland defender for an interception. Mooney will likely be looking for a new home in free agency after the lackluster season.

Mooney played on Sunday but then reported his concussion symptoms on Monday and wound up in the league’s protocol. He has not practiced since, and it seems unlikely that he will play in a meaningless Week 18 game. Despite the Bears’ offense trending up in recent weeks, Mooney has not been a part of the fun, failing to catch more than two passes in a game since Week 9.

Mooney has yet to make a meaningful impact in the box score for the Bears this season despite regularly playing 80 percent or more of the offensive snaps. His absence should open up additional opportunities for Tyler Scott in a downfield role.

Mooney reported his concussion symptoms on Monday and is now in the league’s protocol. He hasn’t caught more than two passes in a game since Week 9. His most notable play of the year was a dropped hail mary two weeks ago. Mooney’s absence will free up some routes for rookie Tyler Scott.

Mooney had a deflected Hail Mary right in his bread basket on the final play of the game, but somehow kicked the football into the hands of a Cleveland defender. It was one of the most wrenching dropped passes in recent memory and it secured the Browns’ comeback victory. This was Mooney’s fifth straight outing with two or fewer receptions in the run-heavy Chicago offense. He’ll be a WR4/5 play in Week 16 against Arizona.