The Chicago Bears offense was among the worst in the NFL last season due to a number of issues. While wide receiver wasn’t a big part of those struggles, there was a roster need following the release of veteran Taylor Gabriel.
Chicago addressed their need for a speedy receiver with the addition of fifth-round pick Darnell Mooney, whose speed should help stretch the field on offense.
While Mooney rank a 4.38 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, he doesn’t think of himself as a “fast guy.” He’s been focusing more on developing his route-running skills since his time at Tulane.
“I never thought of myself as a fast guy,” Mooney said on Bears All Access, via 670 The Score. “I always thought of myself as a guy who’s good at getting off the release and then running my routes.”
While Mooney brings speed to the Bears offense, he wants to prove that he can be more of an all-around receiver that’s not limited to just being the speedy threat.
So what is it exactly that the Bears are getting in Mooney?
“A guy who’s going to more than give you speed,” he said, sharing a scouting report of himself. “He’s going to give you something explosive with the ball. Everything that you could ask for that you haven’t seen, you’re definitely going to get that out of me.
“The all-around receiver, as you would dream of. Everybody having that all-around package. I feel like I have that.”
Mooney joins a crowded receivers room that features veterans Allen Robinson, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ted Ginn Jr., as well as young talent in Anthony Miller, Riley Ridley and Javon Wims.
With Mooney’s skillset, he figures to have a good chance at making the 53-man roster.
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