Latest news with #DrakeLondon
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Drake London could lead the NFL in catches
Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice, fantasy analyst Matt Harmon and NFL writer Charles McDonald discuss the Falcons wide receiver's skill set, what makes him among the best in the league and why he could be in for a monster 2025 season. Hear the full conversation on 'Football 301' - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript I'm gonna actually start with my London discussion. Advertisement Uh, Matt, you had him at #9. I am at number 7, but why bullish on Drake London and Charles, you said he lost the coin flip to bake the 10th spot, I believe. So we'll call it the de facto number 11. Uh, but Drake London, Matt, why are you bullsh on him in 2025? I know you are a fan, but I want to hear, I want to hear more. Man, fantastic player. Um, you can throw him out there ex receiver and he has the press coverage ability and the ball skills to win there, even if he's not the fastest guy in a straight line. He is so fluid underneath to beat pressman coverage, but this new Falcon staff last year did a great job like moving him around the formation, putting him in the slot, getting him off the line of scrimmage, and he just truly became like another tier of a weapon better because of that. Advertisement Um, just when yeah, whenever he was inside, like. Just hit him on an end breaker again and again and again and again. Um, I think he could, he could be a candidate to lead the NFL and catches, uh, if Michael Penix is, is the guy. And I think Pennick probably stylistically is just not gonna lead to that type of, uh, that type of efficiency from his wide receiver, one in terms of Leading the NFL in catches. But I think what we saw with Pennick when he was under center in the final three games, like, he's gonna unlock that area of Drake London's game where he's so good along the boundary. He's so good on these like deep, deep outbreakers. Advertisement So, um, and he catches up, he sneaks up on you after the catch. So yeah, I think Drake London's been playing. At a level where he's like kind of knocking on that door of a top 10 receiver, and I think this is the year like consensus wise, he absolutely smashes through it. I, I've been a fan of London since he came out and been a fan of him with whoever's calling plays there, even in the Arthur Smith offense and everything, he catches everything, and, and I just think that. Yes, he's not this deep thread, he's not gonna take every throw to every catch to the house, but at his game, his box that he plays in, he's elite, like he is top tier ball skills, top tier contested catch guy, and it's not, again, it's not theory, he's doing it week in week out.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFSN names Falcons' best player entering 2025 NFL season
PFSN names Falcons' best player entering 2025 NFL season Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom named Falcons' best player by PFSN The Atlanta Falcons haven't qualified for the playoffs since the 2017 NFL season, but there's reason to believe the drought may be coming to an end in the near future. For the first time in years, the team invested considerable resources to upgrade the edge rusher position. Veteran Leonard Floyd and rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. will look to elevate Atlanta's pass rush this season. Offensively, the team filled its last remaining hole by signing center Ryan Neuzil to a two-year contract. The rest of the offense is set up for success in 2025. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. should have no trouble distributing the ball to the team's playmakers, including wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. The Falcons also have an elite offensive line led by three-time Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom and veteran left tackle Jake Matthews. While the team has plenty of talent, Pro Football Sports Network thinks one player stands above all the rest. Lindstrom was chosen as Atlanta's best player entering 2025 NFL season: Bijan Robinson and Drake London deserve recognition as honorable mentions as the Atlanta Falcons' best player. In the end, though, it's Chris Lindstrom who fits the bill the best. One of the best guards in the NFL currently, Lindstrom has been an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler each of the last three years. His five-year, $105 million extension in 2023 helped pave the way for interior offensive linemen to make tremendous paydays in future extensions. -- PFSN Lindstrom certainly has the body of work to qualify as the team's best player. He's been a steady force along the interior of the offensive line since being selected by the Falcons in the first round back in 2019. There are more than a few other worthy candidates for the honor of Atlanta's top player. Safety Jessie Bates III has been everything the team could have hoped for since signing as a free agent in 2023. Bates has 10 interceptions over the last two seasons combined and has become the undisputed leader in the secondary. Running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London are each deserving of an honorable mention. Both players are coming off career seasons in 2024. Robinson finished third in the NFL with 1,456 rushing yards, and London finished fourth in the league with 1,271 receiving yards. As the Falcons begin organized team activities (OTAs), the future looks bright, especially on offense. Around Falcons Wire
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London lead Falcons' offensive transformation leading up to 2025 season
Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London (via Getty Images) Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is committed to creating elite chemistry with his wideouts—and early indications are that there's a huge jump on the way this season. Following a strong conclusion to the 2024 season and a series of offseason workouts, Penix and standout wideout Drake London are building the foundation for what could be the NFL's most potent passing attack. Michael Penix Jr. aims for breakout synergy with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud Michael Penix MAKING PLAYS At Atlanta Falcons OTAs Practice - Drake London NASTY In only his third week of full work with Atlanta Falcons starters during his previous season, Michael Penix Jr. made some noise. One of the loudest was in Week 18 versus the Carolina Panthers. With three seconds remaining before halftime, Penix launched a laser of a back-shoulder pass to Drake London in tight coverage for a 20-yard touchdown — a glimpse of what their relationship could be. Now solidly entrenched as Atlanta's opening-day quarterback in 2025, Penix is laser-sharp on building that trust with his receivers. London, who had a career-high season in 2024 with 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns, is the focal point for that process. Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was effusive in his praise of the instant chemistry between Penix and London, calling them 'might've prepared a play once in practice and called it flawlessly in a game.' With Penix now fully taking over the offense, Robinson and the coaching staff are hopeful of more improvement. Outside of London, Penix will also have a decent set of targets in Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. Mooney, a former Bears receiver, had five touchdowns and 992 yards last season. McCloud set personal highs with 62 catches and 686 yards. Tight end Kyle Pitts also emerged as a safety valve late in the season. Wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard thinks Atlanta's depth is better than ever. Second-year players Casey Washington and Chris Blair are likely to battle for bigger roles after developing chemistry with Penix on the second team last season. Veterans such as KhaDarel Hodge—who caught a game-winning clutch pass against Tampa Bay—and special teamers like Jamal Agnew bring experience and versatility. New additions are undrafted standout San José State's Nick Nash, who set the FBS record at 16 receiving touchdowns in 2024. Also in the running are former CFL standout Makai Polk and former Giants wide receiver David Sills V, who timed 22 mph in recent team drills. As the Falcons start offseason training, expectations for Penix and his receiving group are high. With Drake London's fifth-year option being exercised and exciting young players such as Bijan Robinson on board, Atlanta may be putting together a long-term offensive core. Also read: Michael Penix Jr. responds to Durag question: 'You Gotta Catch Me at Like a Dinner with Arthur Blank' If the offseason training is any measure, the Falcons are wagering that Michael Penix Jr.'s development and his synchronicity with London, Mooney, and Pitts will elevate Atlanta's offense from a work in progress to a serious playoff contender in 2025. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta Falcons post-draft position preview: Wide receiver
The Atlanta Falcons offense has the pieces in place to be one of the most prolific units in the NFL this season. While Drake London and Darnell Mooney put together solid seasons in 2024, they're still waiting to get the recognition they deserve. Atlanta's dynamic receiver duo combined for 2,263 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. The Falcons added a few players to their wide receiver room, signing return specialist Jamal Agnew and undrafted free agent Nick Nash. The team also re-signed special teams ace KhaDarel Hodge, who's coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance. Advertisement Check out Atlanta's post-draft wide receiver breakdown for the 2025 NFL season below. WR Depth Chart (13): Drake London Darnell Mooney Ray-Ray McCloud KhaDarel Hodge Jamal Agnew Casey Washington Chris Blair Nick Nash David Sills Dylan Drummond Makai Polk Jesse Matthews Quincy Skinner Jr. London, Mooney and McCloud will again serve as the team's top three wideouts. The team signed Agnew to take over the kick/punt return duties from former Falcons running back Avery Williams. Outside of the top guys, look out for Chris Blair, David Sills and Nash to be in the mix for a spot on the 53-man roster. Don't sleep on second-year wideout Casey Washington, who played a role on special teams last season as a rookie. 2025 salary cap hits Mooney: $14,480,000 London: $6,851,878 McCloud: $4,120,000 Hodge: $2,135,000 Agnew: $1,730,000 Washington: $1,008,399 Sills: $1,100,000 Blair: $960,000 Polk: $852,500 Nash: $846,666 Skinner: $842,000 Drummond: $840,000 Matthews: $840,000 Mooney has the highest cap hit of the team's wide receivers in 2025. The former Bear finished with 992 receiving yards last season and that was without playing in the final game. London has the second-highest cap hit as he enters his fourth season in Atlanta. The team just picked up London's fifth-year option, assuring he'll be with the team through the 2026 season at least. Hodge signed a two-year, $6 million contract to remain in Atlanta. Top free agents available: Keenan Allen Amari Cooper Gabe Davis DJ Chark Brandon Powell Advertisement Atlanta has a nice wide receiver core, so we don't foresee the team bringing in any of the big-name players available at the position. Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper will probably only be considered if the team suffered an injury to one of its top receivers. Predictions/expectations for 2025 The Falcons did not draft a single wide receiver, nor did they make any significant additions in free agency. The group will continue to be led by an ascending London, who's firmly established himself as the No. 1 option, and Mooney, who quietly had a nice season as the team's No. 2 wideout. Agnew likely won't play a major role on offense but is a huge special teams signing. McCloud returns as the team's slot receiver after a career year in 2024. Atlanta should have one of the better wide receiver rooms in the NFL this season. Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons wide receiver breakdown: Drake London, Darnell Mooney return
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Michael Penix Jr. lead the Falcons to the postseason in 2025?
Can Michael Penix Jr. lead the Falcons to the postseason in 2025? | Inside Coverage Jason Fitz, Charles Robinson, and Frank Schwab break down the biggest changes for the Falcons heading into the 2025 season and where they've improved from this time last year. Hear the full conversation on 'Inside Coverage' - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. Advertisement View more Video Transcript What about the Falcons, 8 and 9 last year, over and under 7.5 CO rise, repeat, or retreat on Atlantic compared to how you felt a year ago right now? And this is a tough one, man. This is a tough one for me, because so much of it is predicated on Michael Penn, right? And, and so much of it is predicated, I think defensively you went and you drafted two defensive ends in the first round. Um, I think you have to get production immediately cause I mean, they needed. They pass rush in the worst possible way. They got to get it out of rookies right away and it's a little iffy, you know, it's, it's, it's hard to, to bend, depend on, um, you know, edge rushers coming out of the box as rookies and just blowing it up, which is really what they need. Advertisement But again, I do think a lot of this is where the young players now go surrounding Penn. Um, you know, Bijon, can we see him step onto the level of like Saquan Barkley last year? Like, no, I'm not saying. 2000 yards rushing, but just be a dominant running back, um, you know, regardless of the circumstance. Drake London, does he take a big, you know, step forward that, you know, I think we, we've seen him moving again in the right direction, but it's, it does Pennick put it together. Now he's had the whole offseason passing program. He'll have had the offseason passing program as the number one quarterback, um. Advertisement You know, I thought he showed glimpses last year down the stretch, um, but in no way did I look at him and go, yeah, yeah, he'll take that big step in, in year two. that to me is the must. So I'm, I'm probably, I, I'm probably, I'm gonna do this with every team, I think. Repeat, I think I think it's gonna be a lot of the same last year. But yeah, I'm in a little bit of, uh, retreat mode because I can't sit here and tell you I feel better about the Falcons in the NFC South than I did. At any point in the past year, we came into last year with such high hopes, right? Like, oh wow, Bijon and Pitts in London and all these guys, and I thought we saw a lot of the flaws of the Atlanta Falcons throughout last year. Advertisement Cousins wasn't good for sure, but Pitts obviously just ain't it, like it ain't happening. Like I I I keep hearing about the breakout every single year and it's just not happening. The guys around Drake London in a receiver room and not really great. Dijon's awesome. And look, if you want to say, I think Michael Pennix is gonna be a star in this league and he's gonna have that second year jump, I can buy it. I, I can see it, but we, we're basing this off a very small sample size where he looked like you said, Charles, he, he looked good, like he looked promising, but I'm not like that guy's arrived, he's an absolute superstar. Advertisement So, If Pendix makes that big leap and these first round pass rushers fix that issue, OK, I, I can see the Falcons be better, but I'm not betting on that. I'm, I'm gonna say I feel worse about the Falcons competing for a division title than I did at at any point in the past, uh, you know, 12 months.
