Who Should I Start? Darnell Mooney or Jayden Reed

Tuesday, November 4, 4:53 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney was a non-factor again in Week 9's 24-23 loss to the Patriots, earning just two targets, which resulted in one catch for 15 yards. It was the second straight game with one reception and the third time this season. The 28-year-old played every single offensive snap on Sunday, so his lack of production is all the more glaring. So far this season, the veteran receiver has registered 0.15 targets per route run, putting him in a range with the likes of Matthew Golden and Rashod Bateman. Aside from an 11-target, four-catch performance in Week 3, the 5-foot-11 wideout has tallied a total of eight catches on 16 targets for 129 yards and no scores in the five other contests in which he played. Whether it is his injury history piling up or Michael Penix Jr. simply sticking to shorter routes -- or a combination of both -- Mooney doesn't look startable in fantasy leagues right now. A favorable matchup on paper awaits Mooney in Week 10 against a beatable Colts pass defense, but Tuesday's addition of Sauce Gardner from the Jets should enhance their ability to defend the pass.

Friday, November 7, 9:27 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a broken collarbone in Week 2. Reed also underwent foot surgery, so he's recovering from multiple injuries, but might be nearing a return in the next few weeks. This week, he has been spotted on the practice field with no pads, working alongside the wide receivers. From a fantasy perspective, the Packers' expansive receiver room is somewhat clustered, as there is no transparent alpha. Romeo Doubs has led the pack with a 20.8% target share, Matthew Golden with an 11.8% target share, Christian Watson with a 10.8% target share, and even Tucker Kraft (knee), who is done for the year but was breaking out in a big way, was only seeing a 16.8% target share. This pass-catching room is a messy one that will be hard to predict, and throwing Reed back into the mix in a few weeks will only make it more difficult. Reed recorded 55 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns on 75 targets in 2024. For now, fantasy managers can continue to hold him on their IR, but temper expectations around his return, considering his return is projected to be a week or two before the fantasy playoffs start.