Ranking Bears' biggest NFL draft gems of the last decade

2. Darnell Mooney

Drafted: 5th round, 2020

The title probably goes to Jaylon Johnson in this exact moment, but I think there's a fun ("fun") debate still to be had on who the best member of the Bears' 2020 Draft class – easily the best one they've had in the last decade – is. The case for Mooney is strong: in four years, the wide receiver from Tulane has put up 213 catches, 2593 yards, and 11 touchdowns. And we haven't even gotten to Cole Kmet at all!

Mooney's big offseason deal with the Atlanta Falcons proves that the NFL still believes he's a starting-caliber player, even if his 2023 numbers didn't quite prove it. Still, it's hard to blame teams for believing in a player that, only two years ago, put up over 1,000 receiving yards and 80 catches as a second-year player. He was the best offensive player the Bears had through a couple very lean years, and that deserves at least some credit. With the wide receiver core the Bears now have, Mooney won't exactly be missed – but it feels like most, if not all, Bears fans want to see him do well with the Falcons.