Each year in the NFL, different players seemingly come out of nowhere to become household names. Last season, we saw Rams fifth-round pick Puka Nacua burst onto the scene with 105 catches and 1,486 receiving yards.
We’ve seen others, including 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Rams running back Kyren Williams, break out in recent seasons. Are there any Falcons players who could sneak up on the rest of the league this year?
CBS Sports released a list of 50 under-the-radar players who could shape the NFL in 2024. Two Falcons players were listed among the top 50. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore were ranked 10th and 11th, respectively:
Mooney is an intriguing player whose first two seasons in the NFL were considerably better than his last two. The former Bears wide receiver had 1,055 receiving yards in 2021 while racking up 907 combined yards from 2022-2023. Perhaps a pocket passer like Cousins can get the most out of Mooney in Atlanta.
As for Moore, the Falcons acquired him in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder in an offseason trade with the Cardinals. The 24-year-old is primarily a slot receiver due to his size (5-foot-7, 180 pounds). Moore has racked up 135 catches for 1,201 receiving yards and three touchdowns over his three seasons in Arizona.
Wide receiver was one of the team’s bigger needs this offseason since Atlanta chose not to re-sign Mack Hollins, Van Jefferson or Scotty Miller. Mooney and Moore could thrive playing with more physically imposing weapons like Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
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