Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney concluded last season just 8 yards shy of reaching the 1,000-yard mark. Mooney missed the final game against the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury. Despite this setback, he expressed that his primary goal was not personal achievements but team success. “I didn’t really come here for 1,000 yards,” Mooney stated. “I came here to win.”
Mooney had previously surpassed the 1,000-yard milestone during his second year in the NFL as a fifth-round draft pick with the Chicago Bears in 2020. His achievement is notable given that only three Day 3 draft picks have reached this mark since then.
After a dip in performance between 2022 and 2023, Mooney signed with Atlanta on a three-year deal following his rookie contract with Chicago. Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard commented on Mooney’s impact last season: “It’s safe to say that Moon re-introduced himself to the league a little bit last year.”
Last season, Mooney recorded 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns. His average of 15.5 yards per catch placed him among the top explosive receivers based on reception numbers.
Most of his production came while playing alongside quarterback Kirk Cousins. This year, Michael Penix Jr., who took over as starter late last season, will work closely with Mooney to continue building their connection during Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Penix praised Mooney’s abilities: “It’s hard to cover him 1-on-1,” he said.
Mooney is now entering his sixth NFL season and serves as a veteran presence among younger players like Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Expectations are high for an even more successful performance in the upcoming season.
“We look at Mooney as…a vertical threat (and) a veteran presence,” Hilliard remarked about relying more heavily on him moving forward.
