Darnell Mooney

A move from Chicago to Atlanta served Mooney well, even though fellow 2024 free-agent signing Kirk Cousins was a bust. Mooney's production surprisingly was neck and neck with Drake London's for most of the season, up until the final few weeks when London caught fire with Michael Penix at QB (and Mooney missed Week 18 with a shoulder injury). The injury cost him his second 1,000-yard season -- something he'd previously done in 2021, with 1,055 yards on 141 targets in a terrible Chicago offense -- following a pair of sub-500-yard years in 2022 and 2023. While not strictly used as a deep threat, Mooney had career highs for YPR (15.5), YPT (9.0) and aDOT (12.5), with his sub-4.4 speed in a 177-pound frame making for a nice contrast alongside the hulking London. It'll be those two spearheading Atlanta's passing game again, aided by TE Kyle Pitts, RB Bijan Robinson and a strong offensive line, which leaves Penix and incumbent offensive coordinator Zac Robinson as the major question marks. The other big question for Mooney personally is health, after a shoulder injury suffered at the start of training camp kept him off the field through the preseason. Falcons coach Raheem Morris sounded unsure if Mooney will be ready for Week 1, potentially leaving the team thin at a position with unexciting options beyond London and Mooney. Read Past Outlooks