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Head to Head

Updated September 8, 2026 from live stats

Darnell Mooney or Troy FranklinWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Troy Franklin over Darnell Mooney in 2026.

Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG in 2025 to Darnell Mooney's 7.5, a 1.0 point per game edge. Both play wide receivers, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Troy Franklin edges Darnell Mooney by 1.0 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Troy Franklin goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRAtlanta Falcons

Darnell Mooney

PPG

7.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

612

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

WRDenver Broncos#44PPG LEADER

Troy Franklin

PPG

8.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

709

Rec TDs

Targets

104

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Darnell Mooney

Troy Franklin

Head to Head

7.5 PPG8.5 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Darnell Mooney: Unranked WR. Troy Franklin: Tier 3 (Deep League) WR (ranked #44 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Darnell Mooney is producing at 34% of elite pace and Troy Franklin at 39%. That per-game gap means Troy Franklin carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Darnell Mooney vs Troy Franklin: The Full Breakdown

Darnell Mooney (7.5 PPG) and Troy Franklin (8.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two wide receivers are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Darnell Mooney played 15 games for the Atlanta Falcons; Troy Franklin suited up 17 times for the Denver Broncos.

A 1.0-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Target volume is the story here. Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025, while Darnell Mooney drew 78. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Troy Franklin, even in weeks where Darnell Mooney posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Darnell Mooney sits Week 12 while Troy Franklin is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Darnell Mooney (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Troy Franklin (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Troy Franklin outscored Darnell Mooney by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Troy Franklin played 17 games in 2025 compared to Darnell Mooney's 15. That durability gap means Troy Franklin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Troy Franklin scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at wide receiver.
•Troy Franklin saw 104 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Darnell Mooney vs Troy Franklin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Darnell Mooney	Troy Franklin
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.5	8.5
Games Played	15	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	113	145
Receptions	48	65
Rec/Game	3.2	3.8
Receiving Yards	612	709
Rec Yds/Game	40.8	41.7
Receiving TDs	3	6
Targets	78	104
Target Share/Game	5.2	6.1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Troy Franklin holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.5 points per game. Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Darnell Mooney or Troy Franklin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Troy Franklin has the edge at 8.5 PPG compared to Darnell Mooney's 7.5 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

Should I draft Darnell Mooney or Troy Franklin in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Troy Franklin is the earlier pick. He averaged 8.5 fantasy points per game in 2025 to Darnell Mooney's 7.5, a 1.0 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did Darnell Mooney and Troy Franklin average in 2025?▾

Darnell Mooney averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Troy Franklin averaged 8.5 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Darnell Mooney and Troy Franklin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Darnell Mooney (ATL) has a bye in Week 12, and Troy Franklin (DEN) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Darnell Mooney or Troy Franklin a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Troy Franklin outscored Darnell Mooney by 1.0 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.