The Falcons' Drake London is becoming an elite WR

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​called former Super Bowl champion coach Jon Gruden before reporting on his new team's offseason workouts in the spring. Cousins ​​wanted to carve out some time for him and his receivers to fly to Tampa and visit Gruden to watch film.

Cousins ​​also wanted Gruden's perspective on the Falcons.

“I said, 'Give me your deal,'” Cousins ​​said. “The first thing he said: 'Drake London, this guy is a badass.' And that's what you like to hear when a coach you respect and think knows a lot about football says one thing: “bad ass.”

Through the first six weeks of the season, London has lived up to its description. The third-year player has developed into one of the best wide receivers in the league and is perhaps the most used player in Atlanta's offense due to his run-blocking ability.

Entering Week 7, London ranks third in the league in receptions (38), eighth in receiving yards (428) and second in receiving touchdowns (4). ESPN ranked the No. 8 2022 draft pick third in the NFL in its receiver score metric, behind the Texans' Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs. He ranks fifth in his ability to open up.

It's not just the numbers he gives. London said he takes more pride in opening a hole with a block for running backs Bijan Robinson or Tyler Allgeier than making a big catch. Following the Falcons' “Monday Night Football” victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, London was awarded the team's “finisher” belt, awarded to the team weekly by offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford for the best blocking performance. London also made the game-winning catch in this game.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said the team is looking for ways to give London some rest since he is “the focal point of our running game about 90% of the time” and “about 90% of our passing game.” Robinson has called London an “extension of the offensive line,” and the offensive coordinator said he was “on the verge of being a tight end.”

“It’s a selfless act,” London said of blocking and why it’s important to him. “Catching the ball is something I’m supposed to do.”

London have changed formations a lot more this season compared to their previous two seasons. The Falcons used him as a Z receiver (or flanker), playing off the line on the same side as the tight end. He was also in the slot.

It's not unlike how the Los Angeles Rams used Puka Nacua last season when he set rookie records for receptions and receiving yards. Morris and most of his staff came from the Rams, including Robinson, who was passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LA for the past two years. Nacua and wide receiver Cooper Kupp had a “huge impact” on the Rams' running game, Morris said, just as London has now done in Atlanta.

“The original thought and reason is to give him the Puka-like role that we had in LA,” Morris said. “Our employees were very aware of that when we got here. This step was implemented almost immediately.”

The comparison is apt and London doesn't mind, but there are differences. London (6-foot-4) is taller than Nacua (6-2) and had a much higher rating coming out of college.

“It's due to the same offense, so obviously we're in the same position and doing a lot of the same moves and things,” London said. “But at the same time two different players. He’s a great player, but there’s a difference.”

Robinson said he actually sees London as a “combination” of Kupp and Nacua. London is like Kupp in terms of “route knowledge” and Nacua in terms of “overall toughness”.

“He’s definitely a chess piece that you can move anywhere and can do anything,” Robinson said of London.

And that also applies to his attitude, which not only includes the willingness to block for teammates. Earlier in the season, Cousins ​​said he made a low throw to London, who still made the catch. Cousins ​​said if it had been higher, London could have made a big profit. Afterwards, the quarterback went to his receiver and said he was sorry.

“I said, ‘Terrible throw, Drake. Great catch. Good job saving me,'” Cousins ​​said. “And his response was, 'Kirk, we're just setting this up.'”

With the Falcons sitting in first place in the NFC South at 4-2 and London emerging as the top receiver, the foundation appears to have been laid.