Is Darnell Mooney a Good Fantasy Pick? Let's Dive In!

Hello, fantasy football enthusiasts! Today, we're going to take a closer look at one of the hottest wide receiver prospects in the NFL: Darnell Mooney. You might be wondering, "Is Darnell Mooney a good fantasy pick?" Well, let's find out! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and is darnell mooney a good fantasy pick.

Who is Darnell Mooney?

Before we dive into whether Darnell Mooney is a good fantasy pick, let's get to know him a bit better. Mooney was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tulane, where he was a standout receiver, catching 93 passes for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season.

Mooney's Breakout Season

Mooney's rookie year was promising, but his second season in 2021 was when he truly burst onto the scene. He finished the year with 81 receptions, 1,055 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Mooney's impressive stats earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, making him just the third Bears wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons, joining only Harlon Hill and Johnny Morris.

Why Mooney Could Be a Good Fantasy Pick

One of the reasons Darnell Mooney could be a good fantasy pick is his consistent target share. In 2021, Mooney was targeted 140 times, ranking him 15th among all NFL wide receivers. With the Bears' offense likely to pass more in 2022, Mooney's target share could increase, making him an attractive fantasy option.

Quarterback Upgrade

The Bears' quarterback situation has been a rollercoaster ride in recent years. However, with the arrival of Justin Fields in 2021, Mooney has a promising young signal-caller throwing him the ball. Fields showed glimpses of his potential last season, and if he can take a step forward in his development, Mooney's fantasy stock could rise significantly.

YAC Master

Mooney is a YAC (yards after catch) machine. He finished the 2021 season with 447 YAC, the most among NFL wide receivers. His ability to make defenders miss and pick up extra yards after the catch makes him a reliable fantasy option, even in games where he might not see a high volume of targets.

The Downside: Competition and Injury History

While Darnell Mooney has the potential to be a good fantasy pick, there are a couple of things to consider.

Competition for Targets

The Bears' offense has other weapons, including running back David Montgomery and tight end Cole Kmet. Mooney will have to compete with these players for targets, which could limit his fantasy ceiling.

Injury History

Mooney has missed games due to injury in each of his first two NFL seasons. While he's shown the ability to bounce back from these injuries, fantasy managers should be aware of the risk.

So, Is Darnell Mooney a Good Fantasy Pick?

Based on his breakout 2021 season, consistent target share, and the potential for a quarterback upgrade, Darnell Mooney has the potential to be a good fantasy pick. However, his injury history and the competition for targets in the Bears' offense are concerns to keep in mind.

Mooney's current ADP (average draft position) is around the late WR2/early WR3 range. If you're looking for a high-upside wide receiver at that price point, Mooney could be a great value pick. Just make sure to monitor his health and the Bears' quarterback situation as the season approaches.

That's all for now, folks! Thanks for joining us on this journey to answer the question, "Is Darnell Mooney a good fantasy pick?" Until next time, happy drafting!