Who Should I Start? Darnell Mooney or Zachariah Branch


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
5.1 0.3 0.0 1.9 26.0 0.1

Darnell Mooney News

Darnell Mooney Settles Into a Modest Role to Start the Season

Tuesday, September 15, 8:05 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Darnell Mooney found himself occupying a modest role during Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. It wasn't a small role by any means, but it also wasn't enough to prompt fantasy managers to scramble and place a waiver claim for him. Mooney played 57% of the snaps in the season opener, catching two passes for 27 yards. He was nestled into the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Malik Nabers and Malachi Fields. Given the youth and upside of those two receivers, Mooney is unlikely to pass either of them in the pecking order. In fact, he needs to continue producing at a decent level to fend off any sort of competition from Odell Beckham Jr. Mooney didn't handle enough snaps or targets in Week 1 to suggest that he should be a fantasy starter, but he's still a fine player to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues with 14+ teams.


Week 2 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.8 0.4 0.0 1.1 12.4 0.1

Zachariah Branch News

Zachariah Branch Seeing Minimal Role in Falcons Passing Game

Friday, September 18, 12:12 PM

Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch had a quiet day in his team's Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, failing to earn a single target. The 22-year-old saw most of his action on special teams, returning a kick and three punts but playing just 30% of Atlanta's offensive snaps. A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Branch may eventually work his way into a more consistent role in a Falcons' passing game that has little high-end talent at wide receiver outside of WR1 Drake London. However, Branch appears to be behind veteran wideouts Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus to begin his rookie season. Atlanta's passing game also currently has a major question mark at quarterback, with career backup Cooper Rush looking likely to get his second straight start in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. Branch remains an intriguing dynasty wideout, but he should be off the radar of redraft fantasy managers for the time being.


Darnell Mooney vs. Zachariah Branch

Still trying to decide between Mooney and Branch? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Darnell Mooney is projected to score 5.1 points this week while Zachariah Branch is projected to score 2.8 points.