This Falcons player will be a league-wide star by season’s end

Of the top 13 players in receiving yards last season, 12 earned Pro Bowl honors. The lone exception? Drake London, who finished fourth in the league with 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns.

It was a true breakout campaign for the third-year wide receiver, even if he still dealt with quarterback turmoil. Kirk Cousins had some really great moments for the Falcons in the first half of the season, but over a five week stretch in the middle, he had just one touchdown compared to nine interceptions.

That led to Michael Penix Jr. getting the nod as Atlanta’s starting quarterback over the final three weeks, and while there were things he must improve upon going into his second season, one thing was evident — that 9-5 connection is going to be something special for a long time

In Weeks 17 and 18, Penix locked in on London, targeting him an eye-popping 31 times. London turned those opportunities into 17 receptions for nearly 300 yards and two touchdowns. The chemistry was obvious then, and it’s carried over into training camp — most recently shining during joint practices with the Titans.

Falcons WR Drake London…. baaaaaad man in 1 v 1’s against Tennessee Titans pic.twitter.com/aTxp30CIeN

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) August 12, 2025

Goes without saying but Drake London is going to see a preposterous amount of targets this season. Penix loves going to him, and for good reason.

— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) August 12, 2025

London finally got a taste of competent quarterback play last season, and he responded with one of the best campaigns of any receiver in the league, yet the national media remains strangely quiet about what’s coming next.

When ESPN did a poll of scouts, coaches, and execs, London wasn’t included in their list of the league’s top 10 wide receivers. He didn’t even receive a blurb as an honorable mention.

That’s going to change in 2025. London does everything you can ask for out of a receiver. He can run the entire route tree, get yards after the catch, and is one of the best at coming down with 50/50 balls, which will be a staple of the Falcons offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center.

What often gets overlooked, though, is his willingness to impact the run game. London is one of the best run-blocking receivers in football, a complete player through and through. That’s a rarity at his position, and soon enough, everyone will recognize that Drake London belongs in the conversation with the very best in the NFL.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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