Should I Start Darnell Mooney?

Monday, April 27, 9:39 AM

New York Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney battled through a disastrous season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025, recording just 32 receptions for 443 yards and a touchdown on 72 targets across 15 games. The 28-year-old was released by Atlanta at the end of the year and will now try to resurrect his NFL career on a one-year, $3 million deal with the Giants. Provided he makes it back to full strength from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season, wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) should dominate targets in New York. Behind Nabers, Mooney figures to be fighting with veteran wideouts Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin III for the Giants' WR2 role. New York also added Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields with a third-round pick in the 2026 Draft, further muddying the team's depth chart at the position. Mooney remains in a decent position for a bounce-back season. However, there are also enough quality options around him in New York that he's not a lock for any playing time at all if he struggles to produce.