Drake London capped off his fantastic 2024 season for the Atlanta Falcons with arguably the best performance of his three-year career to date. The top-10 draft choice from 2022 shredded the division-rival Panthers' secondary to the tune of 10 grabs for a personal-best 187 yards. Despite his team's overtime loss in Week 18, London came up with two touchdowns in a single game for the first time.
After trying to establish himself alongside mediocre quarterbacks such as Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder during his first two seasons, London finally benefited from having starting-caliber passers throw him the football. Granted, Kirk Cousins' tenure, at least the first one, as the Falcons' starting QB had a less-than-ideal conclusion. He still gave London plenty of chances to make plays.
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix more than looked the part of an NFL QB after he took over under center for the final three games of last season. London averaged more than seven catches for 117 yards in that stretch.
PENIX TO LONDON TD ON 3RD AND 20.
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
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Drake London Does Not Get Enough Respect, Yet
London ultimately finished his third NFL campaign with 100 receptions (T-9th NFL) for 1,271 yards (4th) and nine scores (T-9th): all new career highs. Still, that did not garner him any attention from league execs, coaches, and scouts who collaborated on a recent ESPN survey ranking the top-10 wide receivers in the game for 2025.
As Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports, Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) and Justin Jefferson (MIN) top the list at No. 1 and 2, respectively. Not much argument to be had there. Tyreek Hill (MIA) and CeeDee Lamb (DAL) are next. No problems, yet.
The issues begin as the list moves beyond the top handful. There are superb receivers on there to be sure, but London fails to even register as an "honorable mention." Take a look at the others receiving votes, the 6-4 playmaker is shockingly nowhere to be found.
London's complete absence from consideration on this list is an egregious oversight by the NFL brass that took part in the voting. It should place a big, fat chip on his shoulder for the 2025 season, as the soon-to-be 24-year-old seeks to solidify his name among the elite at the position.