Here’s who ESPN says will be the Bears’ fantasy football breakout player in 2022

The Chicago Bears won’t rank high on the list of offenses fantasy football managers will target in drafts this summer. But with little standing in the way of wide receiver Darnell Mooney posting big numbers in 2022, his fantasy football stock is on the rise.

In a recent breakdown of fantasy football sleepers, busts, and breakouts, ESPN’s Field Yates nominated Mooney as this year’s fantasy star.

“Mooney has already stated his case as a budding star after finishing in the top 20 in both receptions and receiving yards last season,” Yates wrote. “Among all players with at least 80 catches, Mooney’s 13.0 yards per catch ranked fourth, behind only Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Decent company. He’s a potential big-play threat with an obvious path toward massive volume, and I’m a firm believer that he and Justin Fields will take a decided leap forward this year. They’ve spent extensive time training together this offseason.”

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The positive press around Mooney’s 2022 season is beginning to simmer. He was recently named the best bet to be the Chicago Bears’ non-QB MVP, and his offseason training regiment with Fields has been well-documented. With no big-name receivers added in free agency or the NFL Draft, the Bears’ passing game will run through Mooney this fall. As a result, he could end up being a fantasy league winner.

Darnell Mooney’s posted 142 catches for 1,686 yards and eight touchdowns through two seasons in the league. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and should have little trouble topping that number again this year.

Mooney’s fantasy prospects are high for reasons beyond just his natural ability. Fields will be significantly better in Year 2 under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. And with only Byron Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr., and a cast of prove-it veterans like Equanimeous St. Brown, Tajae Sharpe, and Dante Pettis the only competition for targets in the wide receiver room, predicting a breakout year for Mooney is easy.

Add Mooney to your fantasy rosters now. And reap the rewards — and bragging rights — later.