Although he had two strong campaigns to start his career, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is having a breakout season in 2024. He has a career average of 64.9 yards per game and leads the team with 58 points in 10 games.
London is on pace for nearly 99 receptions and his first 1,000-yard season.
But London doesn’t lead the Falcons in receiving yards or receiving touchdowns. That would be free agent Darnell Mooney, who has recorded 684 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. He has a career average of 14.9 yards per catch.
With that kind of production from two different receivers, Mooney is arguably not just a very solid No. 2 wideout. It is 1B to 1A status in London.
For opposing defenses, you often pick your poison when deciding which Falcons receiver to focus on. This week, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton addressed the issue of facing off against London and Mooney in Week 11.
“I think we’re all conditioned to A [No.] 1 and a [No.] 2. “They’re both completely different types of receivers,” Payton told reporters. “Then you deal with the tight end, which we haven’t even talked about [running back]. So I think they are different types of players.
“I think the trick is how you want to defend them. Do you put it [CB Pat] Two surahs [II] one direction [and CB] Riley [Moss] The other? It all goes into game planning. They are very different relative to their skills.”
Payton added that London is such a great blocker that it allows the Falcons to run 12-man looks (one running back and two tight ends) with three wide receivers on the field. In managing positions outside of that personnel group, London serves as the Falcons’ second tight end.
It’s also not as if London and Mooney are the only offensive playmakers opposing defenses have to worry about against the Falcons. Running back Bijan Robinson ranks fourth in the league with 1,079 yards from scrimmage.
“He does a lot of things well,” Payton said of Robinson. “He’s someone who can catch the ball out of the backfield if you’re not careful. He’s a very talented player.”
Tight end Kyle Pitts also has 485 receiving yards and is averaging over 14 yards per catch.
The Falcons suffered a very tough loss to the New Orleans Saints last week. In the loss, the Falcons had just one touchdown through nearly 59 minutes of play.
But they have the offensive tools to get back on track quickly even on the road against the Broncos.
The Falcons will take on the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday.
