Why Atlanta Falcons’ Drake London will have a career year in 24

While Kirk Cousins ​​​​is the new kid on the block for the Atlanta Falcons This offseason, familiar faces like Drake London will be key to the team’s success in 2024. Cousins ​​is a decorated quarterback with 12 years of NFL starting experience and four playoff games, including one victory for the ages with the Minnesota Vikings. The critical play in his 2019 playoff victory was a flawless 61-yard throw and catch by former All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

With the arrival of ‘Captain Kirk,’ a question arises about the future of former USC star Drake London in 2024. How much will Cousins’ presence elevate his performance this season ?

If history is any indicator, it’s a lot. Kirk Cousins ​​has consistently elevated his top receiver at every career stop.

When Cousins ​​took over for rookie Robert Griffin III with the Washington Commanders in 2014, his impact was immediate. His performance helped DeSean Jackson reach his first of two 1,000+ yard seasons with the organization in three years, during which Cousins ​​was the man at center.

After Washington, the four-time Pro Bowler took his talents to Minnesota in 2018. He and Stefon Diggs connected for over 1,000 yards each year for two straight seasons. After Diggs left for the Buffalo Bills via free agency in 2020, the Vikings signed highly touted wide receiver Justin Jefferson out of LSU. In the first three seasons of the Cousins-Jefferson duo, they passed for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Although the two only played four full games together last season due to injuries, they combined for 543 yards and three touchdowns, which was a blistering pace for the 2023 campaign. Cousins ​​has had talented receivers, and London is yet another very talented player who has yet to scratch the surface of his potential in his short career thus far in Atlanta.

Drake London has all the tools to thrive like the others listed above.

The Falcons drafted the 6-foot-4, 215-pound California native eighth overall. 2022 NFL Draft. The former USC Trojan was renowned for his exceptional athletic ability and an impressive height out of college.

“We always start with makeup. We love the way the young man is wired. He is a tough, intelligent and competitive footballer. The way he works, the way he competes, we are very happy to welcome him. It corresponds to our philosophy. It fits the culture. Everything we want to be as a football team here, he fits it. It ticks all those boxes. And as a player, he’s big, he’s athletic, the versatility, the things he can do on the field, the catch radius. We’re very excited to make him a Falcon,” general manager Terry Fontenot told Atlanta media following the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Despite inconsistent quarterback play in his first two seasons, London still managed to come close to 1,000-yard seasons each campaign, including 905 yards last season. Additionally, he made tough, contested catches that are among the best in the league at the position.

Overall, the new partnership in Atlanta should bring out the best in Cousins ​​and London over the next few years. Additionally, with two players in peak form on the perimeter, the entire offense should be more efficient and fluid, opening up more lanes for valuable running back Bijan Robinson.