Add another receiver to the free agency pile.
The Atlanta Falcons plan to release WR Darnell Mooney, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday, per sources informed of the situation.
Mooney was set to count $18.4 million against the salary cap but had no guaranteed money left on his deal. The Falcons will save $7.42 million on the cap with $11 million in dead money by releasing the wideout.
The 28-year-old Mooney signed a three-year, $39 million contract in Atlanta after being a field-stretching weapon for four seasons in Chicago. In his first year in ATL, Mooney generated 992 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. However, his play fell off last season. He didn't generate a single game with more than 74 receiving yards and had nine tilts with 25 yards or fewer. He finished with 443 yards on 32 catches with one score.
Mooney joins an interesting WR group in free agency, headlined by Colts field stretcher Alec Pierce, Seahawks speedster Rashid Shaheed and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. There is also depth at the position with the likes of Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings, Jalen Nailor, Deebo Samuel and, most recently, Stefon Diggs heading to the open market.
Mooney won't see a payday as he did two years ago, but there is always room on a team for a field-stretching talent who averaged 13.0 yards per catch over his first six seasons. In the right offense, he could play a key role on a winner.
For the Falcons, the move frees up needed cap space to fill out the roster but highlights the need to add multiple wideouts this offseason -- in free agency and the draft. It's bleak behind stud Drake London, who is in line for a long-term extension.
