The Chargers could be retooling their wide receiver room this offseason. Mike Williams is a possible cap casualty. Keenan Allen could be, too, but even if he stays in Los Angeles, he will be 32 years old next season.
Should the Bolts seek free agency to address the position, Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger believes Bears’ Darnell Mooney could be a potential target.
The Chargers have some interesting in-house decisions with their own wide receivers, but they need to add more talent even after using their first-round pick in 2023 on Quentin Johnston. Mooney historically has created quick separation at the intermediate level, a skill set that would pair quite well with Justin Herbert. Jim Harbaugh may prioritize wide receivers that can block at a high level, but they have plenty of bigger bodies already.
Mooney’s 2023 season wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as he finished with a career-low 31 catches for 414 yards and a touchdown.
This was two seasons after his breakout year in which he posted 81 receptions, 1,055 yards and four TDs.
The Chargers need more speed at the position, which Mooney possesses, having run a 4.38 40-yard dash. He could be a solid target for Justin Herbert in the intermediate and deep parts of the field.
PFF is projecting Mooney’s contract to be worth $9 million for a year.
While I believe in addressing the wide receiver position in the draft, if Los Angeles were to get Mooney in a buy-low situation, it might be worth it as he’s only 26 years old, and he could inject the offense with the explosive ability to consistently separate from coverage.