Going back to just before training camp, there was an undercurrent from the Chicago Bears organization. Especially the scouts. They warned that 5th round pick Darnell Mooney, a receiver out of Tulane, might end up surprising some people. That trend carried over into camp as coaches sang his praises after almost every practice.
It started to feel like the Bears had something in the skinny 5’10 kid. It wasn’t just his blazing speed that made him stand out. It was his surprising knack for route running and the ability to make tough catches. Just two games into his career, both of those traits have been on display. He made three catches for 38 yards in Detroit. Now through one half against the Giants, he has two catches for 31 yards including a touchdown.
Keep this in mind. The kid had no minicamps, no OTAs, and no preseason. To be this effective already is a testament to the work he put in away from Halas Hall. The game doesn’t seem too big for him at all. He’s playing fast and like he belongs out there. New York hasn’t had many answers for him thus far.
This in turn has helped open up the field for others as Trubisky found 10 different receivers in the first half. Mooney’s ability to stretch the defense is something the Giants can’t ignore, and it’s making their lives so much harder. If he’s this good already, there is no telling how much better he’ll be one or two seasons from now.
