Falcons signing veteran WR DJ Chark

Atlanta adds a veteran receiver, a move that makes us nervous about Darnell Mooney.

I have been stumping for the Atlanta Falcons to add DJ Chark for a few years now, but I did not want it to happen against the backdrop of a top Falcons receiver potentially suffering a significant injury. Here we are, though.

Darnell Mooney took a hard fall in practice yesterday and there hasn’t been an update about his status, so signing a veteran receiver with starting experience does feel a little ominous. Until we get an update, though, all we can really react to is the signing. It may not knock your socks off, but it’s a positive acquisition, especially on a straightforward one-year deal.

Chark offers size, speed, and a proven history as a starter. His last season with the Chargers was wrecked by injuries and he was limited to just seven games and four catches, but assuming he’s fully healthy, there’s an opportunity for him to contribute in Atlanta as an outside deep threat fully capable of winning on his downfield opportunities from Michael Penix. We haven’t seen the Chark who put up nearly 1,800 yards and 13 touchdowns in a two year span since 2019-2020, which means you ought to keep your expectations modest. The last year he was close to fully healthy was 2023 with Carolina, when he played in 15 games and reeled in 35 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

Still, the speed, red zone ability, and size that have made Chark a force to be reckoned with for stretches of his career are all intriguing fits for this passing game, and if Mooney is going to miss any time, the Falcons will badly need a proven receiver opposite Drake London to avoid teams keying in on the burgeoning star. Heading into his age 29 season, Chark will hope to take advantage of landing in a potentially prolific offense, and we’ll hope that whatever role he takes on, he winds up being a productive and useful player for the Falcons. Give him a warm welcome!