Darnell Mooney growing into exciting playmaker for Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears may have found a steal in rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney.

The Chicago Bears took a shot on some upside when they took Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Mooney is not the biggest receiver, but he entered the league with a ton of natural speed and athleticism. After a strong four-year career as an offensive playmaker at Tulane, he was undoubtedly worth taking a shot on late in the draft. So far, it looks like a great pick for the Chicago Bears.

Through the first two games, Mooney has caught all six of his targets for 74 yards. Last Sunday against the New York Giants, Mooney hauled in his first career touchdown, skied high for six after using his speed to create separation while quarterback Mitchell Trubisky bought time in the pocket. Mooney did a great job of working to get in open while his quarterback was in trouble and make a play for him in a tough situation.

According to FootballGuys.com, Mooney was on the field for 60% of the Bears’ offensive snaps on Sunday, more than any wide receiver other than Allen Robinson. He has clearly caught the attention of the Chicago Bears coaching staff and seems to have a strong rapport with Trubisky. Coming into the season, the Bears clearly lacked a speed element at the wide receiver position and Mooney seems to have the skill-set needed to fill the role.

He is an explosive athlete who shows the ability to make plays on the outside and in the slot. His route-running skills are sharp and he has impressive playmaking ability after the catch. Mooney is never going to be a guy who is going to dominate contested-catch situations, but he can use his explosive speed as a weapon to be a real contributor for the Bears.

When it comes down to it, the Bears need a receiver to step up and take on a major role across from Robinson. Anthony Miller seemed to be the favorite heading into the season, but after his Week 2 performance, Mooney may be the guy to fill the gap. Make no mistake about it, he has the speed and athleticism needed to make a major impact for the team.