Falcons WR coach Ike Hilliard signaled that a larger role is on tap for veteran WR Darnell Mooney. The former Bear rebounded with 64 catches, 992 yards, and 5 TDs in 2024.
Here's Hilliard speaking at Falcons minicamp (via Atlanta's official site):
"We look at Mooney as, obviously, a yards-per-catch guy, a vertical threat (and) a veteran presence that can help, I think, with each guy in their role," Hilliard said. "Considering he was a fifth-round draft pick and earned an opportunity to earn a second contract, he knows what it takes to be a pro. So, we're going to lean on him a lot more than we did last year and see where that goes."
Atlanta passed on upgrading at WR3 this offseason. They’ll run it back with Drake London, Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud.
TE Kyle Pitts enters what’ll likely be his final season with the Falcons. He’s currently rehabbing a foot injury.
QB Michael Penix Jr. will be the X factor for this unit. He was effective in 2024, posting 7.4 YPA while showing a willingness to push the ball downfield. Per PFF, 15.2% of his passes traveled 20+ air yards. That ranked sixth in a sample of 52 QBs.
Penix probably won’t emerge as anything more than a spot-start fantasy option. But we expect his play to support a 2024-like season from Mooney.
See where the 27-year-old sits in our updated WR rankings.
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