Who Should I Start? Darnell Mooney or Malik Nabers

Wednesday, December 3, 12:18 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney failed to take advantage of Drake London (knee) being out of the lineup in Week 13 against the New York Jets, recording just two receptions for 25 yards on five targets. The 28-year-old easily had his best game of the season in Week 12 against the Saints with London out, hauling in all three targets for 74 yards and a touchdown, but he didn't find the same success on Sunday despite a favorable matchup. It's been a disappointing year for the former Chicago Bear, as he has yet to record five or more catches in a game after doing so seven times in 16 games last year. The Atlanta offense isn't as effective with Kirk Cousins under center in place of Michael Penix Jr., either, but Mooney was still expected to take on a larger role in London's absence. Mooney is just a fringe top-40 option at wide receiver at this point in the season, especially with London potentially returning as early as Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. Mooney is probably only worth a starting lineup spot in fantasy football this weekend if London misses another game.

Tuesday, October 28, 5:23 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) had surgery on Tuesday to fix the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, and he "should be ready" for the start of next season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers suffered his season-ending knee injury in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he just now had surgery after doctors had to wait for the swelling in his knee to dissipate. Barring setbacks with his rehab and recovery in the offseason, the 22-year-old former first-rounder should be good to go for the start of the 2026 season next fall, although fantasy managers might have some reservations about rolling with a receiver coming off a major knee repair as a high-end WR1. Before his injury, though, Nabers had displayed his game-changing abilities with 271 yards and two scores on 18 receptions in four games. His long-term fantasy ceiling should be higher going forward now that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looks like the real deal.