Drake London (WR, ATL): 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~47 Overall

CURRENT ADP: ~67

ANALYSIS: London was the first wide receiver to be selected during the 2022 NFL Draft when Atlanta seized him with the eighth overall pick. He was not afforded the opportunity to function in an offense that was largely reliant on their aerial attack, as the same strategic approach that will be beneficial to Bijan Robinson also created an obstacle that restricted London's opportunities within an offense that ranked 31st in both pass play percentage (44.7%), and passing attempts per game (24.4).

London’s overall numbers were constructed during a rookie season in which he garnered a favorable percentage of targets when Atlanta did rely on their passing attack. This propelled him to third among all wide receivers with a 29.95% target share from Weeks 1-18, while he finished 22nd overall and third among rookies with 117 targets (6.9 per game). London also finished eighth in targets per route run (29.2%) and also finished 11th in PFF’s grades for wide receivers. 

Drake London fingertip catch 😮

📺: #ATLvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/MlCeIbpXcn pic.twitter.com/eIHJDMB4xZ

— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022

He operated with a 32.9% target share from Weeks 1-3, which was only exceeded by Cooper Kupp, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown. He also entered his Week 14 bye with a target share of 28.7%, which placed him ninth overall. That easily eclipsed the 15.9% share that had been attained by Olamide Zaccheaus which was second among Atlanta’s wide receivers. London’s 10 red zone targets were also five more than any other member of the Falcons.

However, he was also averaging 6.2 targets, 3.6 receptions, and 41 yards per game during that span, while residing outside the top 30 at his position in each of those categories. He had also been targeted on 27.7% of his routes while averaging 1.83 yards route run. London also registered 6.6 yards per target and 11.3 yards per reception, with an aDOT of 9.9 during those matchups.

Desmond Ridder replaced Marcus Mariota under center prior to the Falcons' Week 15 matchup at New Orleans, and that transition fueled a significant rise in London's numbers. His target share increased to a league-high 33.0% with Ridder spearheading Atlanta's attack, while London also vaulted to second in targets per route run (33.0%), and third in yards per route run (3.66) from Weeks 15-18. He also finished inside the top 10 in targets (36/9.0 per game), receptions (25/6.3 per game), and receiving yards (333/83.3 per game) during that sequence, while experiencing an increase in yards per target (9.3), yards per reception (13.3), and aDOT (10.9) during those contests.

London will operate with a dearth of competition for targets from Atlanta’s remaining collection of wide receivers (Mack Hollins/Scott Miller/KhaDarel Hodge/Frank Darby), while the involvement of Kyle Pitts, Robinson, and Cordarrelle Patterson will not preclude him from garnering another massive target share. His exceptional talent will enable him to maximize his opportunities while positioning him for a breakout season.

The Desmond Ridder-Drake London connection is here 👀

(🎥: @AtlantaFalcons)
pic.twitter.com/vSnU5DmNkB

— PFF (@PFF) May 13, 2022

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