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Can Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Drake London Earn All-Pro Honors?

Is former USC Trojans and current Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver Drake London having an All-Pro season? The third-year wide receiver is in the top eight in every major receiving category and has earned the right to be in the conversation.

Kyron Samuels

Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) after a play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) after a play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Former USC Trojans and current Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is having a career-best season. The third-year pass-catcher is one of the most important figures on a 6-4 Falcons team that currently sits a 4-1 in the NFC South division. Despite minor injuries and playing alongside some extremely talented playmakers, London is one of the best, most productive wide receivers in the NFL.

Ten games into the regular season, is Drake London having an All-Pro caliber season? The first-round draft pick has earned the right to be in those conversations with his progression. 

Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London
Nov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates a touchdown with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

"We didn't get the ball to Drake enough," said Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris earlier in the season after the Steelers loss. Not getting the ball to London enough has been a theme in three of the four Falcons losses this season.

London entered the season with 141 receptions, 1,771 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. Ten games in, London has amassed 58 receptions, 649 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. Those numbers rank sixth, eighth, and fourth in the National Football League, respectively. The six receiving touchdowns equal the total from his two previous seasons combined.

London is a top-five receiver this season, and some interesting statistics provide context to his level of importance to the Falcon's offensive production. He is tied for second place with the number of games receiving over 20 percent of the team’s targets, with eight games above that rate. That’s tied with wide receivers Garrett Wilson and George Pickens. Only Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has more with nine.

London has a unique attribute that sets him apart from other top-tier receivers: his blocking ability. London is arguably the best blocking wide receiver in the NFL and undoubtedly the best amongst the elite group of pass catchers. Falcons coach Raheem Morris has donned London, "the sixth offensive lineman," due to his blocking prowess.

Atlanta Falcons WR Drake Londo
Oct 20, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches a pass over Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The capacity to which London has to consistently perform in both facets of the offense makes him All-Pro worthy. He has the production of a top-tier wide receiver and is so complimentary to the run game that his defensive-minded head coach acknowledges him as an exceptional blocker.

Barring injury, Drake London deserves to have that All-Pro distinction at the end of the season. 

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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