FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons came 8 yards short of accomplishing something they haven't done in more than a decade, and that is having two wide receivers with at least 1,000 yards each in a single season.
Drake London topped the mark with 1,271 yards. Darnell Mooney was at 992 yards, though, when he was ruled inactive for the Falcons' season finale with a shoulder injury.
The last duo to break 1,000 yards apiece were wide receivers Roddy White (1,351) and Julio Jones (1,198) in 2012.
That's the only disappointment out of this position group in 2024, and it can barely be considered a disappointment.
"They've done a great job," Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said of London and Mooney in December. "Obviously, their skill sets complement each other really well. They are both very, very smart football players. They love it. They compete. Those two guys are a lot of fun to coach every single day because they bring it, and they bring out the best in everybody. So, it's no surprise that they're having such great seasons."
They did so with not just one but two new quarterbacks, too, working with veteran Kirk Cousins through Week 15 and then rookie Michael Penix Jr. through season's end.
London's yardage was a career-high mark and his first time hitting 1,000 since the Falcons drafted him in 2022.
Mooney's output marked his second-best total since joining the NFL in 2020, but he had one less game compared to 2021 when he had 1,055 yards with the Chicago Bears.
"They're rolling," Penix said earlier this month. "Those are two good guys, and I feel like they're some of the best in the league."
OTHER 2024 POSITION REVIEWS:
Notable returners: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Casey Washington, Chris Blair
Free agents: Rondale Moore, KhaDarel Hodge
2024 production:
- Drake London: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 100 receptions, 158 targets (63.3%) | 1,271 yards | 9 touchdowns
- Darnell Mooney: 16 starts, 16 appearances | 64 receptions, 106 targets (60.4%) | 992 yards | 5 touchdowns
- Ray-Ray McCloud III: 13 starts, 17 appearances | 62 receptions, 87 targets (40.4%) | 686 yards | 1 touchdown
- KhaDarel Hodge: 2 starts, 17 appearances | 7 receptions, 12 targets | 131 yards | 1 touchdown
Biggest question facing the position group in 2025: Will the Falcons bring back Rondale Moore?
Atlanta traded quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for Moore last offseason. Moore was listed as Darnell Mooney's backup on the Falcons' first depth chart of training camp, but early into training camp, Moore was already putting himself in conversation with Ray-Ray McCloud III as the Falcons' possible No. 3 wide receiver.
"He's a down-the-field player, yards-per-catch guy," wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard said. "He's an excellent route runner. He's very, very instinctive. Great hands. Great after the catch."
Before the Falcons played their opening preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, however, Moore sustained a knee injury during joint practices and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Moore's potential in Atlanta was never realized. At least not in 2024. It could still in 2025 if the Falcons so choose.
