Expert Details Why D.J. Moore And Darnell Mooney Are A Lethal Combo

Acquiring D.J. Moore was meant to secure Justin Fields another reliable target. However, it wasn't only about adding another talented receiver for GM Ryan Poles. He wanted to find somebody that fit Fields as a quarterback while also giving others on the roster more room to breathe. Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney are the two at the front of that list. Getting Claypool going is obviously a priority for the Bears after they spent a 2nd round pick to get him. However, the player who will benefit most from Moore's presence may be Mooney. Andy Benoit of the 33rd Team believes this is the case for some key reasons.

"There is no question that newly acquired ex-Panther DJ Moore is the No. 1 receiver. But Darnell Mooney, a 2020 fifth-round pick in the final year of his rookie deal, has the vertical speed to regulate defenses. If he aligns inside and on the line of scrimmage, the defense is almost compelled to dedicate backside safety help against him. If they don’t, that defense risks letting a linebacker or backup corner try to run down the middle covering the go and deep-over routes Mooney executes so well.

Mooney’s vertical prowess will also aid Moore directly. Perhaps the best route Moore ran as a Panther was the dig (and similar intermediate one-cut in-breakers from the outside). The best dig route designs usually go underneath the type of interior vertical routes that Mooney can run. (The concept is called a dagger: the inside receiver lifts the coverage, and the outside receiver cuts underneath it into that voided area.) These are defined, slower-developing timing-and-rhythm throws, which fit Justin Fields’ current skillset."

Benoit's assessment isn't wrong.

The Carolina Panthers already proved this dynamic could work. In 2020, they acquired veteran speedster, Robbie Anderson. His vertical threat immediately helped Moore produce his best overall season in the NFL. Both went over 1,000 yards. Moore did so again in 2021 though Anderson's production took a dip. It probably isn't a coincidence that Moore saw his own stats slide after Anderson got traded. Without that vertical presence, teams were able to squeeze coverages down on him more often.

D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney already have Fields' trust.

Mooney has worked with the Bears quarterback since 2021. Moore appears to have already established chemistry with him since spring practices began in May. That is a great sign of what is to come. Moore is looking great in drills and doing it without Mooney on the field. The receiver hasn't yet returned from his ankle injury last season. Matt Eberflus stated the team expects him back for the start of training camp in July. Then we will see how good this combination could be.

If Benoit is right, defenses won't have many answers for this new combination. It can be similar to what the Bears had with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. Jeffery was the vertical threat, while Marshall feasted on short and intermediate routes. D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney may not have their size, but both are faster and more agile. That should lead to greater potential after the catch. Fields likes big plays. This duo should provide them.