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The Atlanta Falcons have a talented core on offense, but their wide receiver room has regressed over the last few seasons. Aside from budding superstar Drake London, the team has been unable to find reliable secondary options.
Darnell Mooney filled this role well for Atlanta in 2024, recording 992 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns. However, that production dropped off in 2025 after he suffered a shoulder injury during training camp. Despite playing in 15 games, Mooney clearly wasn't 100 percent last season.
The Falcons made big changes over the offseason and Mooney was released in an effort to clear cap space, although it's fair to question whether or not this was the right decision.
The 28-year-old landed on his feet with the New York Giants, signing a one-year, $10 million contract that includes $3 million in guarantees. CBS Sports featured Mooney on its list of 50 under-the-radar players who could impact the 2026 season.
"Amid a disappointing 2024 for the Falcons, Mooney quietly impressed with 64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns while averaging a career-best 15.5 yards per catch -- the seventh-highest mark in the league," wrote Zachary Pereles. "Mooney dealt with lingering injuries in 2025, though, and finished with just 32 catches. The Giants would love to see him get back to his 2024 form, when he showed a well-rounded skill set that hadn't been on display earlier in his career."
By releasing Mooney, the Falcons saved $7.4 million in cap space and added $11 million to their dead money total. The team essentially used that money to sign Jahan Dotson to a two-year, $15 million contract that includes $10 million in guaranteed money.
Dotson had just 18 receptions for 262 receiving yards and one touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. However, it's fair to say he would have been more involved had he not been stuck behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
We'll see if Dotson can finally take off in Atlanta this season. As for Mooney, he'll attempt to help second-year Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart take the next step.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Former Falcons WR named bounce-back candidate by CBS Sports
