Darnell Mooney Focuses on ⁣Winning with‍ Falcons, Not Just Yards

⁢ Updated May 31, 2025
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Wide receiver Darnell⁤ Mooney is setting his sights on team success as he enters his second season with the Atlanta Falcons. Mooney emphasized that his primary goal isn’t personal accolades like reaching 1,000 receiving yards, but rather ⁢contributing to victories on the field. The Falcons are looking to ⁤improve after missing the playoffs last season.

Darnell Mooney ‍had 992 receiving ⁣yards in 2024. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

MooneyS 2024 season saw him haul in ⁣64 passes⁣ for 992 yards, a career-best 15.5 yards per catch, and five touchdowns.According⁢ to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 74.0 overall grade, ranking him 36th among NFL wide receivers. he ⁣missed one game due to a shoulder injury.

The ⁤Falcons’ receiving ⁢corps also ⁢features⁢ Drake London, who had a career year in 2024 with 100 receptions for 1,271 ‍yards and nine touchdowns,⁣ along with Ray-Ray mccloud, who also posted career highs.⁢ Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson,‍ a Pro Bowler last season, add further firepower to the Atlanta offense.

“I⁢ didn’t‍ really come here [to Atlanta] for 1,000 yards. I came here to win,” Mooney said Friday. “So, for, you know, anybody that’s like creating that as a top⁤ tier for the receivers, that’s not what I came here⁣ to do. I ‍came here⁢ to win games.”

Mooney also shared his thoughts on⁢ his own performance last year. “I ‍did pretty well with the ⁢deep routes, and the biggest thing that I want to do is catch⁤ the ball and take something‍ to the [end zone],” Mooney said. “Make at least three people miss, have some exciting plays.”

Looking ahead, Mooney expressed excitement about ⁢the potential of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.,who took over‍ as the starter late last season. “He throws the ball vrey, very far,” Mooney said about Penix. “He has a strong arm.‍ He can get it ⁤out whenever he needs to. Like,if it feels like he’s late,he won’t ⁤be late. He can get the ball there in time.” The Falcons are banking on Penix to lead them to future success.

What’s next

With a focus on winning and ⁢an emerging quarterback⁢ in Michael Penix Jr., Darnell Mooney and the Atlanta Falcons are aiming to make a ⁤significant impact in the NFL this season.