Falcon Report

NFL Free Agency: Darnell Mooney Biggest Beneficiary of Atlanta Falcons Offseason?

The Atlanta Falcons went all-in this offseason adding multiple game-changers. Is wide receiver Darnell Mooney set to take off in Atlanta?

Jeremy Brener

Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) runs the ball
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) runs the ball / Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
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Darnell Mooney was brought to Atlanta this offseason, handpicked by the Falcons’ new quarterback Kirk Cousins. Not only did Cousins sign a lucrative multi-year deal with the Falcons, but so did Mooney.

Paired alongside other perimeter weapons like Drake London and Kyle Pitts, plus Bijan Robinson at running back, will Mooney rise to a career-best season in 2024-25?

Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) makes a catch
Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) makes a catch / Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Last season with the Chicago Bears, Mooney put together a disappointing campaign with only 31 receptions and 414 yards in 15 games. Not viewed in Atlanta anymore as a primary pass-catcher, more open opportunities should clear for Mooney against opposing secondaries.

“Cousins’ pinpoint ball placement should allow Mooney to rack up yards after the catch or big plays,” Bleacher Report wrote. “The speedy receiver could be an explosive playmaker who compliments the big-bodied Drake London and Kyle Pitts in the Falcons’ aerial attack.”

Simply due to teammates like London, Pitts and Robinson needing their own high volume of targets, Mooney likely will never come close to his 2021 numbers — 1,055 yards on 81 receptions — but his added presence will only help out everyone else.

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.