Getting a deal done—or at least picking up the fifth-year option—just makes too much sense for London.
This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have been the talk of the wide receiver market as they guaranteed over $100 million to their two building blocks on the outside, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. However, the Atlanta Falcons have a chance to plant their stake in the receiver market by potentially picking up 2022 first-round pick Drake London’s fifth-year option before the May 1st deadline, or simply paying him on a new deal.
PFF’s Bradley Locker, in his fifth-year option predictions for the 2022 NFL Draft picks, agrees that paying the former USC receiver is in Atlanta’s best interest.
No matter Atlanta’s revolving door at quarterback over the past three seasons, London has established himself as a consistently good receiving threat. He has generated at least a 78.9 PFF receiving grade and 1.87 yards per route run in every season since he broke into the league. The Falcons would be wise to extend London in light of recent massive receiver deals for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Through years of uncertainty, the one constant has been consistent play from London. Even with questions surrounding the quality of the quarterback, the viability of the offensive line, even the ability of his fellow pass-catchers, London continued to be a reliable target with a breakout season right before his fifth-year option was to be picked up.
In Locker’s predictions, 18 of the 32 players in this class got their options picked up, with nine of them being up for potential extensions. One of the extensions that has already happened is the Houston Texans’ move to lock up third-overall pick Derek Stingley, Jr. Stingley had his ups and downs his first year before settling into being the dominant force on the outside he was tabbed to be since his freshman year at LSU.
While London may not be the same type of force that Stingley is for Houston, having that reliable, physical receiver for Michael Penix, Jr. to grow with is an invaluable asset. Former signal-caller Matt Ryan speaks glowingly about the type of presence Roddy White was for him as he entered the league. And Roddy’s five straight years of 85+ receptions, 1100+ yards and 7+ TDs, which includes four Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro in 2010, was a sign that the relationship was quite good.
Even better, London is still younger than Penix. The two are around the same age (Penix born on May 8, 2000, London born on July 24, 2001) and can see the NFL game through different, but similar eyes.
There’s no visible downside to picking up London’s fifth year option, and doing an extension right after that or even in lieu of the option could help the team save some money now while locking him up for the long-term. We’ll hope for that news sooner than later.