FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Wide receiver Drake London embodies the Atlanta Falcons' ideal player.
"We want dudes that when we lose, they're angry and they're not OK, and they don't sleep well when we're losing," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. "That's the kind of guy he is. We'll take a lot like that heart that Drake has. If you could do heart transplants and do it to everybody, then we'll be in good shape."
That's a big reason why the Falcons exercised the 2022 first-round draft pick's fifth-year option on Wednesday, guaranteeing London stays in Atlanta through at least the 2026 season.
This unsurprising decision comes after a breakout 2024 season for London, during which he broke 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career. London caught 100 passes for 1,271 yards — which ranked fourth among NFL receivers last season — and a team-high nine touchdown receptions.
"Obviously, Drake is an unbelievable player," Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said. "He's a big part of this organization, big part of the offense. What he was able to accomplish last year in the first year of me being around him was unbelievable. ... From a competitor standpoint, it's exactly what we all want to stand for in terms of style of football we're trying to play offense, defense, special teams. Can't say enough good things about him."
Robinson arrived in 2024, so he didn't witness London's rookie and second seasons firsthand. TJ Yates did, though. Before he became the Falcons' quarterbacks coach last year, Yates served as the wide receivers coach from 2022-23.
Yates helped London total 866 receiving yards – third most among rookies – and four touchdowns in 2022. London improved his yardage output slightly in 2023, finishing with 905 receiving yards but scoring only two touchdowns. He accomplished that production despite a carousel at quarterback.
"We grew a lot as a coach-player relationship," Yates said. "Seeing him not only grow as a football player but as a young man, just maturing in that standpoint, and becoming one of the leaders on this team; he deserves every single bit of it. He works so hard. He is such a great person off the field.
"It's funny, because his demeanor off the field is very different than his demeanor on the field — how he can just flip that switch on and off. Just learning how to battle with that because sometimes he can get pretty juiced up."
That switch goes back to Fontenot's comment about London's heart.
There must be a third mode available to the 23-year-old, though. One that's more internal than external. One that his current position coach, Ike Hilliard, was quick to highlight amid the news.
"What I do appreciate from him is his approach every day," Hilliard said. "It's business-like; he's all ball. It's an approach that one can appreciate, because he's trying to take his game to the next level. So, we're looking for more from him now. Not just because of the fifth-year option. But because that's what we expect."
