Darnell Mooney Agrees to Deal With Atlanta Falcons: Fantasy Football Impact & Takeaways (2024)

WR Darnell Mooney has agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons in which he will provide another weapon for the newly acquired Kirk Cousins. He joins a strong cast of playmakers, including WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson, and TE Kyle Pitts.

Let’s examine the immediate implications and fantasy football impact of Mooney agreeing to terms with the Falcons.

Darnell Mooney Agrees to Deal With Atlanta Falcons

Former Bears WR Darnell Mooney has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year deal worth $39 million, including $26 million in guaranteed money, according to NFL.com ‘s Ian Rapoport.

The Falcons have dramatically upgraded their passing game over the first two days of free agency’s legal tampering period, adding Mooney as a complement to WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts and bringing in veteran QB Kirk Cousins to solve their QB problem.

The 26-year-old Mooney is coming off a frustrating season in which he finished with 31 catches for 414 yards and one touchdown in 15 games. The Bears had the second run-heaviest offense in the league last season, running the ball on 48.7% of their offensive snaps. When Bears quarterbacks did throw, it was often to D.J. Moore, who commanded a 28.5% target share. Mooney missed the last two games of the season with a concussion.

A fifth-round draft pick in 2020, Mooney had an encouraging rookie season for the Bears, finishing with 61 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns. He took a big step forward in 2021, leading all Bears pass catchers with 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. An ankle injury cost Mooney five games in 2022, and he finished with 40 catches for 493 yards and two TDs.

Mooney will likely start opposite London in 2024, and the two receivers should complement each other nicely, with Mooney providing a vertical threat while London works in the intermediate areas of the field. Mooney is probably a long shot to have a target share of 20% or greater in 2024, but big-play potential will keep him fantasy-relevant.

In redraft leagues, Mooney should be regarded as a midrange to low-end WR4. A modest target share will probably prevent Mooney from being an every-week starter in most leagues, but he could be slightly more valuable in best ball leagues because of the big-play potential that the fleet-footed Mooney offers.

I have Mooney ranked WR64 in dynasty formats. He certainly has value in these formats since he is squarely in the prime of his career. But dynasty leagues are typically full-point PPR, and Mooney probably isn’t going to be a high-volume receiver for the Falcons.