FrankDrebin wrote:
5'10 176
Mooney was an all-state player for Gadsden High School in Alabama, but a late qualifying test score reportedly kept many programs from offering him. Tulane stepped in, and he started eight of 12 games played (24-267-11.1, two TDs) as a true freshman. He started every contest in his sophomore campaign (34-599-17.6, four TDs) and did so again in 2018, earning second-team All-AAC honors and ranking sixth in the FBS with 20.7 yards per catch (48-993, eight TDs). Mooney did not make as many big plays as a senior but still led the team with 48 catches for 713 yards (14.9 per) and five touchdowns.
Overview
Limber and explosive, he has the makings of a mismatch slot with the ability to stretch and attack speed-deficient coverages. It's easy to criticize Mooney for frequency of drops during his time at Tulane, but he took short throws and turned them into touchdowns of 86, 79 and 55 yards in 2018. He's sudden underneath and should fit right in as a slot, but he won't be able to outrun NFL coverage and needs to tighten up the routes. He definitely has a puncher's shot at finding an NFL home, but the slender frame and inability to help on special teams are big challenges to overcome.
Strengths
Capable of lining up inside or outside
Uses sudden stem and release to beat press
Instant cushion muncher against off-man
Will turn a short slant into a long touchdown
Suddenness to separate out of breaks underneath
Explosive speed with ability to work all three levels
Above average locating and tracking deep throws
Instinctive positioning and body adjustments help him bring it in
Trampoline leaper to get up and over for high-point
Almost every touchdown in 2019 was contested
Weaknesses
Built like a stick with thin frame and limbs
Size brings natural concerns over durability
Not enough attention to detail in his routes
In a hurry to get from Point A to Point B
Had troubling dealing with physical route-matchers
Disappointing drops on shorter throws
Struggled making adjustments to throws outside his frame
Has almost no special teams experience in college
I like it. Averaged 16 yds per catch. Very fast.
_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away." Frank Coztansa wrote:
I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.