It’s important not to get too carried away with training camp buzz. There are plenty of instances when a player who excels in practices can’t carry it over to actual games. Then again, it also goes the other way. Eddie Jackson? Tarik Cohen? Those guys ripped up practices as rookies and became instant contributors once the regular season began. That is why it’s interesting to hear the ongoing buzz about Darnell Mooney.
Most of the attention regarding the Chicago Bears draft class is on Cole Kmet? No surprise. He’s the highest pick. It just comes with the territory. However, one week into training camp and 5th round receiver out of Tulane has made it impossible to ignore him. Coaches have lauded his work ethic and attention to detail. Something that is rare for a player his age.
Media members though can’t get over his speed. Not just sprinter speed either. Adam Jahns of The Athletic made a wild comparison that should put into context how noteworthy it is.
“The Bears are definitely in the process of sketching out a role for Mooney this season. He’s playing with the starters and against the Bears’ best defenders. His speed and quick-twitch elusiveness definitely stand out. “A lot of people are bailing back on me a lot and respecting my speed,” Mooney said. He’s also different than the rest of the Bears’ offensive threats. He’s Taylor Gabriel but with better moves after he has the ball.”
This is significant.
Gabriel was always known for his speed. Yet a persistent feature of his time in Chicago was how limited he was after the catch. Of his 353 yards in 2019, only 67 were after the catch. In 2018, just 223 of his 688 came after. By most accounts, Mooney is even more dangerous with the ball in his hands. Jahns’ colleague Kevin Fishbain echoed this.
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“Speaking of quickness from rookies, each day Mooney does something that catches the eye. His first step when the ball is in his hands is like he’s shot out of a cannon.”
Darnell Mooney is no stranger to improvisation
It shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Mooney is pretty good at creating for himself. Not necessarily just because he’s fast. More because it was almost a necessity during his time in college. His own coaches admitted the receiver was saddled with less-than-ideal circumstances at quarterback. A lot of underthrown or off-target passes. This forced him to improve his body control and find ways to make things happen with the ball in his hands.
This is exactly what the Bears have been missing. Together with veteran speedster Ted Ginn Jr., they suddenly have multiple options that can stress defenses deep. Combine that with a remade tight end room and this offense has a variety of different ways to attack. A benefit they did not enjoy a year ago.
