If there is one thing the Bengals need at wide receiver, it is speed. With A.J. Green and/or John Ross out the door after 2020, Cincinnati’s offense needs an injection of burst for the long-term.
Speed like that can be very hard to find on late in the NFL Draft, but former Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney definitely has it.
The diminutive speedster has field-stretching ability along with superb jump-ball ability for a receiver of his size. However, there are concerns with his route running and handling of physicality. He also presumably wouldn’t contribute much on special teams if he harbors a roster spot at the bottom of the depth chart.
This may be a rare example where Bengals make an exception on end-of-roster players needing to be studs on special teams with the potential Mooney can offer as a receiver.
Let’s take a look at the athleticism he put on show at the Combine.
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 176
- 40-yard dash: 4.38
- Broad Jump: 124”
- Vertical Jump: 37”
To see the full draft profile, click on the video at the beginning of the article to see my full thoughts on him as a prospect along with some clips illustrating his strengths and weaknesses as a player. Thank you and enjoy! More video Draft profiles will be coming soon!