For the second year in a row, the Falcons drafted a behemoth pass-catcher with a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft, bringing London to The A. The former USC wideout plays a lot like Kyle Pitts in that he's a wide-bodied target with a huge catch radius, similar to other big-man receivers with a basketball background. But London doesn't come with a sterling pedigree, only truly breaking out for the Trojans in 2021 when he was force-fed throws (11 catches per game). Atlanta's offense has significant question marks, including how London will do getting pushed into a learn-as-he-goes role. That will lead to growing pains, but it should also produce some good target volume, which is the name of the game in Fantasy for receivers. London will get picked in PPR seasonal leagues starting in Round 7 (Round 8 in non-PPR) as a borderline No. 3 option. He's a lock to be closer to Round 6 in dynasty start-ups and keeper leagues, and a choice between second and fifth overall in rookie-only drafts.
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Falcons' Drake London: Not practicing after knee injury
Rotowire
London (knee) isn't practicing Tuesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
London took his first target for a 24-yard gain during Atlanta's preseason opener but suffered a knee injury in the process. Coach Arthur Smith said he isn't worried about it being a long-term issue, but London likely will miss some practice time and at least one preseason game. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft faces soft competition for snaps and targets, giving him a shot to enter the year as Atlanta's No. 1 wide receiver even if he doesn't practice much the next couple weeks.
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Falcons' Drake London: Knee injury downplayed
Rotowire
Coach Arthur Smith noted Sunday that the knee injury London suffered during Friday's preseason game against the Lions isn't something the Falcons are "concerned about long term," Tori McElhaney of the team's official site reports.
That said, it doesn't look like the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be back at practice this coming week. Per Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site, whether London sees any preseason action is something that will be assessed week-to-week, but on the plus side the wideout's Week 1 status doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.
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Falcons' Drake London: Clarification on injury to come
Rotowire
Coach Arthur Smith didn't provide an update on London's (knee) health after Friday's preseason win at Detroit, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Prior to his early exit, London recorded a 24-yard catch and run, looking the part of a first-round pick. However, the rookie wide receiver had his right leg examined in the blue medical tent and eventually was ruled out with a knee injury. Bridget Condon of NFL Network later reported London was walking about the sideline and didn't seem to be dealing with anything too severe. Afterward, Smith relayed that the Falcons will have a better idea about London's injury Saturday, likely after he goes through a battery of tests to learn the precise diagnosis.
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Falcons' Drake London: Hurts knee Friday
Rotowire
Though London was forced out of Friday's preseason game against the Lions with a knee injury, NFL Network's Bridget Condon noted that the rookie wideout was subsequently spotted walking around on the sideline.
Per Condon, "whatever the issues is, it doesn't appear to be too serious." Though that's an encouraging initial report, London's status is nonetheless worth monitoring in the coming days. Prior to his first-quarter exit from the contest, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft caught his lone target for 24 yards.
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Falcons' Drake London: Key role expected
Rotowire
London is listed toward the bottom of the Falcons' unofficial posted depth chart, but Scott Bair of the team's official site notes that's an approach coach Arthur Smith typically takes with rookies at this stage of the preseason.
With that in mind, Bair notes that London -- who the Falcons took eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft -- typically works with the team's first unit during training camp practices, and has held his own against Atlanta's top cornerbacks. Bair adds that "it's fair to expect London will play a ton once the regular season begins, as a top receiver worthy of being listed first at his position." Also in the mix for wideout targets early on are the likes of Bryan Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus, KhaDarel Hodge and Geronimo Allison, but among that group the 6-foot-4 London remains the upside play in an offense that is slated to be helmed by QB Marcus Mariota.
