Darnell Mooney DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Atlanta Falcons plan to target wide receiver Darnell Mooney more often during the 2025 season, according to wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard. "We're going to lean on him a lot more than we did last year and see where that goes," Hilliard said. Mooney impressed during his first campaign as a Falcon last year, catching 64 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns through 16 games. He was the overall WR31 in PPR leagues despite missing the season's final contest with a shoulder injury. Mooney said he performed well on deep routes last year, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. acknowledged how difficult he is to cover one-on-one. Operating alongside another talented receiver in Drake London, Mooney currently ranks as RotoBaller's WR48 in redraft leagues. That puts him ahead of players like Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, and Matthew Golden.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) participated during the first day of OTAs, according to Terrin Waack of the team's official website. It appears that Mooney is healthy and has fully recovered from the shoulder injury that sidelined him in Week 18 last year. In his first season as a Falcon, Mooney played in 16 games, catching 64 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns. He was the overall WR31 in PPR leagues despite missing the season's final contest. The 27-year-old should continue to make a significant impact in 2025, as he projects to operate as the No. 2 receiver behind Drake London once again. In fact, he's only trending up now that the Falcons have a steady, dependable quarterback option in Michael Penix, who will operate as the starting quarterback for the full duration of training camp (unlike last year when he opened as the backup).

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable but had an unfavorable outlook after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted that Mooney faced an uphill battle to suit up this weekend. His absence should lead to an increased role for Ray-Ray McCloud III, who is the overall WR54 in PPR leagues with 58 catches, 620 yards, and one touchdown through 16 games. McCloud has quietly put together the best season of his career and possesses WR3/FLEX upside in his increased role Sunday.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is "considered a long-shot" to suit up for Sunday's meeting with the Carolina Panthers. The wideout is currently listed as questionable for Week 18. However, Rapoport added that it will be an "uphill battle" for Mooney to get on the field. He has had arguably the best season of his career in 2024-25, totaling 992 yards and five touchdowns off 64 catches. With the Falcons still alive for the postseason, Mooney will be needed. But if he's not out there, Drake London will presumably see more attention from Michael Penix Jr. The same can be said for Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud III.

According to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com, wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Mooney popped up on the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status over the weekend. However, seeing him downgrade throughout the week is not a positive sign. If Mooney were to sit out on Sunday, Drake London would see further increase in targets and Ray-Ray McCloud would move up to the No.2 spot on the depth chart. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. has looked London's way 21 times over his first two starts and would be viewed as a high-end WR2 if Mooney cannot play.