BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~53 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~60
ANALYSIS: The Chicago Bears are likely to be among the NFL's worst teams in 2022. Only the Seahawks, Falcons, Texans, and Jets have a lower win total over/under at DraftKings Sportsbook. If this holds, Chicago would be in a lot of situations where passing is a necessity to stage a comeback.
This begs the question: which receivers would Bears QB Justin Fields be throwing to? Byron Pringle, who has just 67 receptions through three seasons in the league? Equanimeous St. Brown, who has just 37 in the same timeframe? N'Keal Harry, who was traded from New England after failing to catch on after three years? Velus Jones Jr., who didn't break out in college until the age of 24? None of these options inspire confidence.
No, when Fields needs a downfield threat, he will be targeting Darnell Mooney. Tight end Cole Kmet will siphon some targets, but the real prize is Mooney. The athletic wideout already saw a lofty 26.7 percent target share in 2021; now that Allen Robinson has left Chicago for the Rams, this number should only increase. When he can make plays like the one below, it's easy to see why.
Fields should improve as a passer in his second year in the league, which would greatly benefit Mooney. Mooney had the 17th-most receiving yards last season but the ninth-most unrealized air yards, suggesting there was room to increase production even at the existing target rate. He also displayed a great ability to find separation from defenders; his 1.96 yards of average separation ranked seventh among wideouts.
Mooney will be peppered with targets to an extent unmatched by other receivers near his ADP. Jerry Jeudy and JuJu Smith-Schuster, for example, do not have as clear of a path to massive volume. Mooney is going as the WR27 in drafts, a position he should easily outperform barring injuries.
More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers
Kadarius Toney Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – Super Bowl 58 Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Consider in Large-Field GPPs POSITIONAL VALUE: WR/Flex DFS Dart Throw ANALYSIS: Kadarius Toney is perhaps the biggest wild card of the Super Bowl LVIII matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The mercurial wide receiver has battled injury issues and controversy off the field, as well as drops and ineffectiveness... Read More
Stefon Diggs Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR1 ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs was the WR10 during the regular season, averaging 13 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The superstar wide receiver started the year on fire but tailed off towards the end. He scored fewer than 6.9 fantasy points in... Read More
Jayden Reed Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had low expectations entering the season. Many thought the Packers’ passing attack would suffer without Aaron Rodgers. Instead, the rookie wide receiver was a fantasy star. Reed was the WR23 during the regular season, averaging 11.6 half-point... Read More
Chris Godwin Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR2 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin had a slightly disappointing year. The former Penn State star was the WR31, averaging 9.9. half-point PPR fantasy points per game during the regular season. Mike Evans had a massive year as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target, leaving... Read More
Brandin Cooks Start 'Em, Sit 'Em – NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 10+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2 ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a solid regular season. The veteran was the WR36, averaging 9.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he struggled early in the year, Cooks picked up his play when it mattered most for the Cowboys.... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!