After being selected by Atlanta with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Drake London put up a solid rookie season despite dealing with poor quarterback play in a run-heavy Arthur Smith offense. Smith was fired after a 2023 season in which the Falcons experienced similar offensive limitations. The freedom of a new offense in 2024 enabled London to make a leap and finish as the PPR WR5 in his third year.
Sometimes a change in scheme is all a player needs to realize their potential. It is fair to wonder how many draft busts could have been avoided if only they had been put in a position to maximize their potential. For one early pick in the 2024 draft, the odds seemed to be stacked against him from the moment he was drafted. Between an inept offensive coaching staff, a crowded depth chart, and inconsistent quarterback play, it is hard to tell exactly where the fault lies for the rookie’s underperformance in Year 1. Heading into his second season, most of the roadblocks that stood in his way are now gone. Will the widespread changes lead to a London-esque leap forward in 2025?
