It's a great time to be a star wide receiver in the NFL, and Drake London is the latest to cash in with a massive contract extension.
The Atlanta Falcons are rewarding their top pass-catcher with a new four-year deal that includes $100 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports. London's new deal is reportedly worth $141 million, with incentives that could push it all the way to $150 million.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of USC, London will continue to anchor the Falcons' passing game with his reliable presence and big-play ability, no matter what happens at the quarterback position.
While the financial details might be eye-popping, London's new contract is an absolute bargain for the Falcons as they secure one of the league's best young playmakers for years to come.
Drake London is an Elite, Complete Receiver
With his combination of size, athleticism, hands, and route-running ability, London is one of the most complete receivers in the entire NFL. He can beat opposing defenders any way he chooses, making him a dangerous threat at every level of the field, on just about any route. His massive catch radius makes life easy on his quarterback, and he's nearly automatic in clutch situations, like third downs and in the red zone.
London checks every box for a No. 1 receiver, and has every skill the league covets at the position. There's not a glaring flaw in his game beyond his ability to avoid injuries, and when he's fully healthy, there are few pass-catchers in the league who can impact the game the way he can.
The Sky's Still the Limit for Drake London
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When London was drafted, he was still just 21 years old. Now locked in for the long-term in Atlanta, London is still just 24 years old, and will be barely 25 when the 2026 season kicks off this fall. That means, as impressive as he's been up to this point in his NFL career, he still hasn't hit his true prime yet as a pro.
The fact that London still has room to grow and improve should terrify opposing defenses, and the Falcons should be thrilled that he'll be suiting up in their colors for the foreseeable future. It's likely that when this current contract expires, London will still be worthy of another big-money deal thanks to being south of 30 years old.
It Won't Take Long for This Deal to Look Like a Steal
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London's new deal puts him in the No. 3 spot among the NFL's highest-paid wide receivers in terms of average annual value, just ahead of the Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson, and trailing only Ja'Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But the top of the market keeps getting reset on a regular basis, thanks to a salary cap that continues to explode every year.
Paying more than $35 million per year for a wide receiver might look like a lot of money now, but wait a couple of years and see what the top of the market looks like then. London will still just be 26 years old, and new extensions will be knocking him from that No. 3 spot likely out of the top five. This deal is only going to look better and better with time for the Falcons.
