Who Should I Start? Mecole Hardman or Darnell Mooney

Tuesday, August 26, 1:11 PM

The Green Bay Packers are releasing wide receiver Mecole Hardman on Tuesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Despite the Packers dealing with multiple injuries to their receiving corps in training camp, the Packers will move on from Hardman, who was looking to secure a depth role with the Packers after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. In his six NFL seasons, the 27-year-old pass-catcher has caught 178 of hi 258 targets for 2,302 yards and 16 touchdowns in 80 regular-season games (28 starts). Hardman also has plenty of special-teams experience and should be able to find work with another team for his versatility and speed during the 2025 season. Last year in 12 regular-season games (no starts) with KC, Hardman caught just 12 passe for 90 yards and no scores.

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.