From opposing players and coaches to an All-Pro teammate, here’s four stories on the difficulties of defending Atlanta Falcons record-setting receiver Drake London.
By now, the book on Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London is much like his alignment on the football field – pretty much wide open.
There’s the fact that London was a two-sport athlete at USC, seeing time on the basketball court in addition to starring on the gridiron.
There’s the realization that London was on pace to break USC records in receptions and receiving yards before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the eighth game.
And, of course, there’s the chapter on how London is now the Falcons’ all-time record holder in receptions by a rookie with 72.
But what most don’t know is how London goes about his business in between the lines.
Here are stories from two players and one coach who know all too well the difficulties of facing Atlanta’s 21-year-old rising star …
Sept. 4, 2021.
The USC Trojans were set to kick off their same against the San Jose State Spartans. It was London’s first contest as the Trojans’ clear-cut No. 1 receiver, as previous top targets such as Michael Pittman Jr. and Amon-Ra St. Brown were off to the NFL.
Standing across from London for much of the day was Spartans cornerback Nehemiah Shelton, who would go on to earn honorable mention all-Mountain West each of the next two years.
Shelton is now on the NFL Draft radar and recently competed at the East-West Shrine Bowl, logging an interception and two passes defended in the event. He’s firmly of interest to the Falcons’ decision makers.
Part of the allure of Shelton is how he played against London; he allowed five receptions for 53 yards on nine targets. This was nearly the best anybody did on London all year … but the talented wideout still finished the game with 12 catches for 137 yards.
Speaking to Falcon Report ahead of the Shrine Bowl, Shelton had a few distinct takeaways from his matchup with London.
“I just remember he was a great receiver,” Shelton said. “He’s a great receiver, very physical, knows how to get in and out of his breaks and use his body to make plays.”
At 6-4, 219 pounds, London was regarded as a big-bodied player unafraid to take – and deliver – hits with the ball in his hands. He was also well known for his ability to make contested catches … and Shelton saw firsthand as to why.
“You throw the ball up, he can get up there quick,” Shelton began. “I remember he ran a double move on me, and I thought I was about to get an interception and as soon I was about to go up, he jumped and I’m like ‘woah, damn, that’s a big dude.'”
Shelton made sure to note that he broke up the pass on that play – but his respect and admiration for London’s ability was evident.
But perhaps most telling about London is his approach to the game; off the field, he’s soft spoken and doesn’t say a whole lot in interviews. He’s dedicated to being the best he can be and plans on putting actions over words.
And according to Shelton, London largely acts the same on the gridiron.
“Whenever I tried to talk to him, he didn’t really say too much,” said Shelton. “He’s more of like ‘I made a play; I’ll say my rah-rah.’ He didn’t really like talking smack or anything like that – he’s more of just getting straight to it.”
And by all accounts, London did actually that – “it” being the PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year, No. 8 overall pick and eventual Falcons record-setter.
Oct. 30, 2021.
London and the Trojans were set for a home matchup with the 0-7 Arizona Wildcats. The nation’s leading receiver was coming off games of 16 receptions for 162 yards and 15 receptions for 171 yards, respectively, and was set for another big game.
In Shelton’s words, London was “getting straight to it” – he caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns … and then, disaster struck.
On what proved to be the final play of his college career, London’s ankle was rolled up on and subsequently fractured. He missed the following four games and couldn’t work out for NFL teams until early April.
But in fitting fashion, London went out with a bang – just listen to how Arizona safety Christian Young described him in an exclusive interview with Falcon Report.
“It was basically him just getting the ball every play,” Young said. “I mean, he had like nine or 10 receptions in the first half, so I mean. Slants, fades, one-on-ones. It was … yeah.”
Young said that USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is the best player he saw while at Arizona, not London – but he was audibly highly impressed with what he saw, nonetheless.
Arizona knew that London was going to be the primary target on just about every play but simply couldn’t stop him. As Young said, it was a versatile array of routes that culminated in a dominant first half performance.
Ultimately, London’s game – and season – was cut short … but he managed to end in such fashion that left Young largely searching for a word to describe it.
Oct. 12, 2022.
It had been some five months since Falcons All-Pro cornerback A.J. Terrell had first faced off against London – a physical battle in the early stages of minicamp.
Terrell, a third-year cornerback entrenched as one of the league’s best, often got the better of London early on. But as the offseason program progressed, London started winning more and more reps.
By the middle of October, London was five games into his rookie season and was already Atlanta’s clear-cut No. 1 option. He was drawing additional attention from opposing defenses and earned the rest of coaches and teammates alike.
Among those was Terrell, who mentioned during training camp that the London was getting better every single day – in part because of the rookie’s ability to hone his skills against a corner like himself.
“All the intangibles,” Terrell said of what makes London special. “Him being able to go against me in practice, it’s something big for both of us, just being able to compete. Put the ball in his hands, he makes explosive plays. He’s growing each week, just putting his best foot forward. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
That “bright future” proved true over the ensuing three months, as London far-and-away led the Falcons in targets (117), receptions (72), yards (866), first downs (48) and yards after catch (231).
Across his final five games, London had 31 receptions for 428 yards, headlined by his first career 100-yard game in the season finale, logging 120 yards despite playing just over half the offensive snaps.
In essence, London simply keeps on getting better – and his future hasn’t looked brighter.
Dec. 24, 2022
It’s Christmas Eve, and Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh is just moments removed from his team’s 17-9 playoff-clinching victory over the Falcons.
Despite Atlanta’s low scoring output, London had a strong day, catching seven of nine targets for 96 yards, then a career high. In the Falcons locker room, London was seething over a lost fumble in the first half, his second in as many games and a play that halted a potential scoring drive.
London managed to put that frustration behind him during the game, hauling in several impressive receptions and largely keeping the Falcons offense.
But most impressive about those receptions is who London was doing it against – Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey, who had just been voted to his third Pro Bowl in the last four seasons.
And according to Harbaugh, it was Humphrey – not necessarily London – who had the challenge.
“(Humphrey) got the tough assignment; he got London,” Harbaugh said. “He was following him all over the field, and that’s a tough job. The dude’s 6-foot-5 and he’s really good.”
London lived up to the praise despite difficult external circumstances, posting his stout performance in 10-degree weather while rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder made just his second professional start.
And that, truly, is “really good.”
It’s never been about numbers, accolades, or praise for London; in his words, he’d be “happier” if his numbers were lackluster but the Falcons had made the playoffs.
It’s sentiments like this that have made Falcons coach Arthur Smith say that London is “wired the right way” and is a foundational piece moving forward.
But on the field, the numbers, accolades and raw physical traits are reasons for different reactions …
“Woah, damn.”
“It was basically him just getting the ball every play.”
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
“The dude’s 6-foot-5 and he’s really good.”
And perhaps most importantly, London has the Falcons “really excited about him” – but the same can’t be said for opposing players and coaches alike.
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