NFL
Falcons Sign Cousins; London All-Pro Breakout?
Among the many who are excited about the new era of Atlanta Falcons football, with new coach Raheem Morris and Kirk Cousins as his signal-caller, no one may be more pleased with the addition of the veteran than third-year receiver Drake London.
The former first-round pick out of USC has set franchise records for the Falcons through his first two seasons, and the best may be yet to come. In a recent article from Bleacher Report, the former Trojan was named as a potential “breakout star” this coming season, largely thanks to the Falcons’ signing of Cousins.
“The accuracy Kirk Cousins brings to the table will lift London’s ceiling significantly. Cousins had the highest percentage of on-target passes among quarterbacks with at least 200 throws last year,” Bleacher Report writes. “His 82.2 percent on-target percentage ranks vastly ahead of Ridder, who put a meager 69.3 percent of his throws on target and often struggled to place the ball properly for London, Kyle Pitts, and the rest of Atlanta’s supporting cast.”
Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) reacts after a two-point conversion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Even while London’s first two seasons in the league were held back by inconsistent and often below-average quarterback play, he still asserted himself as Atlanta’s top target.
London set the Falcons’ record for most receptions by a receiver in their first two seasons with 141, surpassing the previous record-holder, Julio Jones, and those behind him, Calvin Ridley and Mark Pritchard.
This past season, London finished with 905 yards and two touchdowns on 69 receptions while playing in 16 games. Despite having three fewer receptions and seven fewer targets, London still improved his numbers from his rookie year.
At 6-4, 213 pounds, London is the prototypical size for an outside receiver in the NFL. In his two seasons, London has even shown he knows how to use that size when going up for jump balls or making heavily contested catches. Bleacher Report thinks this aspect of his game will make him a breakout player with the addition of Cousins.
Obviously, with Cousins’ past of working with young receivers like, most recently, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, there is hope he can do it again, this time with London.
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