Darnell Mooney, a wide receiver with the Chicago Bears, had a breakthrough season in 2021, recording 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries to Allen Robinson prevented any other Bears receiver from surpassing 500 yards in 2021. And Robinson leaving for Los Angeles Rams has left Mooney as Chicago’s undeniable No. 1 wide receiver. Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown were acquired by the Bears during the offseason. They don’t pose a threat to be the Bear’s top receiver, but they can play supporting roles.

Also Read: Picking from the #1 draft spot in NFL Fantasy Football, 0.5 ppr leagues

Who is Darnell Mooney?

Darnell Mooney is an American football wide receivers for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 29, 1997, he played college football at Tulane and was drafted by the Bears in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mooney, a starter for Tulane for four years, caught 151 passes for 2,529 yards and 19 touchdowns while playing in 49 games. His longest catch was 86 yards. 2018 was a breakthrough year for him as a junior, with 48 receptions for 993 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Also Read: Picking from the #2 draft spot in NFL Fantasy Football, 0.5 ppr leagues

Mooney finished tied for sixth quickest among all prospects at the NFL Combine with a time of 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. In the fifth round, the Bears selected Mooney with the pick they received from the Eagles in exchange for two picks in the sixth round and one in the seventh.The franchise selected Mooney with the 173rd overall choice in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. On July 21, he agreed to a four-year rookie contract with the group.

Mooney caught three catches for a total of 38 yards from Mitchell Trubisky in his NFL debut, a 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions. The following week, against the New York Giants, he grabbed a 15-yard ball for his first touchdown. Mooney caught four passes and scored a touchdown in Week 15’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, bringing his season total of receptions to 46.

Also Read: NFL: Deshaun Watson handed 11-game suspension, $5 million fine

By surpassing Harlon Hill’s previous mark of 45 set in 1954, Mooney broke the Bears franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie. Mooney had his best game of his rookie season in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers, catching 11 passes for 93 yards.Mooney was forced to miss the Bears’ playoff game against the New Orleans Saints after suffering an ankle injury near the end of the Packers game.