Darnell Mooney

Mooney was largely a non-factor due to lingering injury issues in 2025, recording just 32 catches for 443 yards and a single touchdown after a shoulder injury in training camp. Recurring injuries (shoulder, hamstring, ribs, knee) signal durability concerns entering his final contract year.

Mooney could be a candidate to be released this offseason despite the Falcons' depth issues at receiver. In 2026, Mooney will carry a cap hit of $18,420,000 and a dead cap value of $11,000,000, making him a potential cap casualty.

Mooney will carry a cap hit of $18,420,000 and a dead cap value of $11,000,000 in 2026, and the Falcons could save $7.5 million by cutting him in March. Multiple reports identify him as a leading cut candidate given his poor 2025 performance.

Projects as WR3/WR4 behind Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton, with Odell Beckham Jr., Calvin Austin, Braxton Berrios, and rookie Malachi Fields (R3) all competing for non-Nabers targets. Realistic path to consistent WR3-or-better volume is narrow.

Mooney enters 2026 as NYG's WR3 at best, behind elite Malik Nabers and incumbent Darius Slayton. His realistic target share in a healthy offense is capped well below what dynasty value requires.

The Giants drafted Malachi Fields, who is immediately competing for the WR3 slot role Mooney was signed to fill. Significant investment in Fields signals NYG's long-term plan does not center on Mooney.

The Atlanta Falcons are entering a new era in 2026, with new head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham. Kevin Stefanski's offensive system could theoretically unlock better usage for experienced slot WRs if Mooney is retained.

Giants OC Matt Nagy coached Mooney during his first two seasons in Chicago, providing genuine scheme familiarity and a pre-built trust relationship. This familiarity could fast-track Mooney into a reliable role within the offense.

Mooney remains locked into the No. 2 WR role in a Falcons' offense that very well could make a leap with Michael Penix Jr. entering his first season as the full-time starting quarterback. As a depth piece, some usage floor likely exists if he stays healthy.

With the depth issues the Falcons have at receiver, they could opt to retain him and hope for better in 2026. Atlanta's WR room is barren beyond Drake London, with only 32-catch Mooney and practice squad options.

Defenses forced to account for Malik Nabers' elite separation will create natural single-coverage opportunities underneath and over the middle for Mooney. This is a real but limited upside lever — Mooney's 13+ YPC average fits the complementary field-stretcher role.

The Atlanta situation was crowded and below expectations, and Mooney's 2024 season (64 catches, 992 yards, 5 TDs) demonstrates he can produce at a WR2 level when scheme and QB alignment is right. A clean break could revive near-term output.