The Atlanta Falcons will visit the New Orleans Saints in Week 12. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding WR Darnell Mooney.
Is Darnell Mooney Playing in Week 12?
Mooney is not on the injury report, and barring a surprise, he is expected to play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Falcons’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit Mooney in Week 12?
Has there been a less impactful receiver that is on our radar over the past month than Mooney?
Weeks 8-11, Production Profile
- 129 routes
- 21 targets
- 6 catches
- 33.8 expected PPR points
- 13.7 PPR points
I feel pretty good about the answer being a resounding “no”. He’s available in the majority of leagues right now, and I think that tracks: at this pace, there was no way he was going to establish himself as a player with a high enough floor to ever be usable, so why hold?
If nothing had changed, I’d agree with you. But now that this is a Kirk Cousins-led offense, I think there’s at least a thread to pull when it comes to rostering who we assumed to be Atlanta’s WR2.
This is the first of two meetings the rest of the way with the Saints, a defense that allows the fourth-highest deep TD% in the sport this season. In fact, you could pick apart a portion of all of the remaining games on Atlanta’s schedule, but that doesn’t mean anything if the targets are lacking or sporadic.
They might still be. Let me be very clear and say that, in the year 2025, Cousins isn’t likely to be Joe Flacco to Michael Penix’s Jake Browning. That said, there wasn’t a ton of separation a year ago between Drake London (battling a knee issue right now) and Mooney when he was under center (PPR stats):
London
- 2.7 points per catch
- 1.8 points per target
- 91.3 air yards per game
Mooney
- 3.1 points per catch
- 1.8 points per target
- 86.5 air yards per game
Again, Mooney is a long shot to be a lineup staple at any point this season, but I do think his outlook changed last week, and there’s at least enough in the profile for me to give him a one-week trial run, assuming that he’s on your waiver wire after a disaster of a month.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Mooney’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 12
Mooney is projected to score 10.8 fantasy points in PPR formats.
We project Mooney to have 4 receptions for 54 yards and 0.2 touchdowns. Mooney could also add 1 rushing yard.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 12 Weather Impact: Falcons at Saints
Since the Saints play in a dome, there is no weather impact for this Week 12 matchup. Temperatures will be a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit with no wind.
