Hint… Hint…
April 20th, 2020
Draft nugget dropped.
A man who has been much more right when it comes to Bucs inside intel than he been wrong over the past 16 months dropped a blind item recently on social media that has Joe paying attention.
J.C. Cornell, a man Joe knows has a direct pipeline to a heavy-hitter shot-caller at One Buc Palace, dropped a very interesting name on social media that Bucs fans should pay attention to.
We all know Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians covets one receiver to be a total burner to take the top off defenses. He had one in Breshad Perriman but he left in free agency.
The Bucs drafted such a guy last spring in Scotty Miller. While he began to flash his speed midseason, Joe isn’t ready to knight Miller a starter just yet. It would be nice if he could prove he can stay healthy for a 16-game season.
Cornell, who runs TheDraftNetwork.com, had this interesting Twitter last week.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs take a hard look at Darnell Mooney in the draft.
— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) April 17, 2020
This Mooney, from Tulane, has blazing speed (4.38) but isn’t exactly tall at 5-11. He’s a toothpick at 175 pounds.
Dane Brugler, of The Athletic, believes he’s an undrafted free agent.
SUMMARY: A two-star recruit out of high school, Darnell Mooney, who has a twin brother, was a two-way player at Gadsden High and recorded 37 catches for 697 yards and nine scores, adding an interception on defense and four return touchdowns. He went under-recruited (No. 351 ranked receiver) and was the final member of Tulane’s 2016 class. Lining up inside and outside, he finished with 41 straight starts, becoming just the sixth player in school history to surpass 2,500 receiving yards. Mooney has the body type of a kicker with poor muscle definition and play strength. While he is straight-line explosive, he can get off-balance out of his breaks and needs to use better sink quickness to consistently separate. The focus drops are frustrating, but he tracks the ball well, working hard to get open and fighting through coverage. Overall, Mooney is tougher than he looks, but he must better control his dynamic athleticism to make it in the NFL as a consistent weapon.
And here is what Emory Hunt, the Czar of the Playbook, has about Mooney in his 2020 Football Gameplan Draft Guide (only $10!):
Strengths:
– A smooth, explosive athlete that can cover ground in an instant. Mooney is the type that can take a slant to the house, or outrun coverage on a deep over route and cruise into the end zone.
– When he has a free release, it’s hard for a defender to recover.
– Didn’t return kicks a lot in college, but, I figure that’ll be a part of what he will do at the NFL level.Areas of Improvement:
– Doesn’t catch the football as clean as he should; double clutches a lot, which limits a lot of what he potentially could do after the catch on shorter routes.
– Has to increase his strength; can get big boy’d on routes or at the LOS.
– Which also means he has become much better at working off press coverage, both bump press and tight press.
As with most guys who are undrafted, they are projects. This doesn’t mean Mooney can’t be coached up. He just doesn’t seem like a guy who could compete for a starting job for a while.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:05 am
nope…
April 20th, 2020 at 11:08 am
I feel like JC Cornell does have some insight but it is just some.
This year, I think he was saying the Buc’s would move on from Jameis Winston. Correct. But I think he said it would be Philip Rivers and then said it would be Teddy Bridgewater. Now maybe the Buc’s did not really think they had a shot at Brady so he can get somewhat of a pass.
But didn’t he also say last year that if the Bucs were choosing between Devin White and Josh Allen it would be Allen who the Buc’s would pick.
Maybe my facts are wrong – correct me on this Joe or anyone else.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:10 am
A later round pick.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:19 am
6-7 round
April 20th, 2020 at 11:25 am
He has speed which is the 1 thing this WR room needs. He seems like a late round option and Im personally hoping they put more of an emphasis on filling the WR3 spot. Mainly because I also am not ready to trust Scotty Miller in that role.
Bucs were in 11 personnel 62% of the time last year. WR3 will be on the field more than 1 of the RBs (if they take one in round 2). I dont see this changing just because Brady is the QB so to me, its a legit need.
I’d love to see Jalen Reagor become a Buc. I dont know where the NFL is on him, but if the Bucs go OT at 14 and Reagor is there at 45 i would be a fan of that pick.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:33 am
Please.. a 7th rder at best.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Maybe 8th.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:37 am
Just saw a talking head on tv mentioning the 49ers trading Matt Breida to the Bucs for a 5th rounder. rumor only.
April 20th, 2020 at 11:49 am
Love the picture of the Dog !
April 20th, 2020 at 12:01 pm
As an UDFA for the burner role, no problem; although he does need to eat a few sandwiches and hit the weight room. Surprisingly does a nice job on contested balls thanks to his athleticism and hops. BA loves to have a few of these guys who can rotate and compete for playing time.
April 20th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
No to Moonpie. He’s just another Scotty Miller.
April 20th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Another bucs fan site has him as a late round pick in their last mock. If you can get him in round 6 or 7, looks like a winner. Can he return?
April 20th, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Jaquez Green anybody?? Lol…. He really doesn’t even look like he’s “burning” anyone out there?? Is it just me? … Looks like he’s got good top end speed but lacking acceleration??
April 20th, 2020 at 12:09 pm
THIS is what I’m talkin’ about. Speed is going to be cheap in terms of draft capital this year. Plenty of tiny sub 4.4 guys. We can pick a couple up easily when you count UDFA’s.
I can’t believe there are still some folks talking about a WR in the first round.
April 20th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Mooney has the body type of a kicker with poor muscle definition and play strength. While he is straight-line explosive, he can get off-balance out of his breaks and needs to use better sink quickness to consistently separate. The focus drops are frustrating.
Sounds like an UDFA
April 20th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Itz fine just trade all of the draft picks away and sign UDFA’s. That makes sense There is reason he is a 6th round prospect or UDFA. He’s not as good as say Ruggs III. You win with talent in the Pros. Recall the 2002 Bucs had many first and second rounders on that team who played their role and made a play when they had an opportunity.
April 20th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Too expensive at $3.26M. Maybe this is a Plan B if we don’t get a RB we want. Trade a 2021 day 3 pick for him.
April 20th, 2020 at 12:38 pm
The college ranks are full of burner WR’s that can’t catch. If he isn’t an upgrade to Miller why bother drafting him. Let him come in as a UDFA.
April 20th, 2020 at 1:43 pm
7th or UDFA…
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 20th, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Lynn Bowden Jr in the 3rd….Fills multiple roles & is a “take it to the house” threat at all of them.
April 20th, 2020 at 2:59 pm
I’d rather go with Killins Jr from UCF as an UDFA.
April 20th, 2020 at 3:12 pm
nobody hits on more inside intel the coach sanders! He had Brady and Gronk before anyone. whoops did i just drop the gronk intel.
April 20th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Hodad
Good call on killins. He’s tiny but amazing speed and he stayed pretty healthy thru career at UCF
April 20th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
I GOTTA HINT FOR HIM, AND THE HINT IS KJ HAMLER
April 20th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Ehhhh… How bout Quez Watkins in the later rounds! Check him out
April 20th, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Dewey Selmon: wouldn’t mind that a bit if true and go after Dillon in the 3-4th.
April 20th, 2020 at 4:53 pm
I agree Miller is not a starter (yet, if at all).
Here’s my list, spread over various rounds:
• Henry Ruggs III
• Justin Jefferson
• Michael Pittman Jr
• Antonio Gandy-Golden
April 20th, 2020 at 4:53 pm
No short WRs!
April 20th, 2020 at 5:34 pm
I bet Perriman wishes he didn’t leave after Brady signed
April 20th, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Nooooope… Drops focus catches… Nah that means he aint a baller sorry
April 20th, 2020 at 6:21 pm
Van Jefferson
then Javon Leake for KR/PR with our last pick
April 20th, 2020 at 6:56 pm
1st round jason!!
April 20th, 2020 at 10:39 pm
Round 6 maybe
April 21st, 2020 at 6:52 am
carl nassib lost his dog in philly the other night…
sad…
500 dollar reward…
i hope they find it