If there’s one thing the Falcons have done in recent years, it’s find great pass catchers.
Andre Rison handed the torch to Terrace Mathis, and then, with the change to a more pass-happy NFL, Atlanta saw the best pass catchers in franchise history come to town at the turn of the century.
Michael Jenkins and Roddy White took it to an entirely different level, with the latter climbing the mountain and becoming the all-time Falcons leader in yards before his time in Atlanta was done. He was the unquestioned GOAT of wideouts in the franchise’s history.
That was until Julio Jones arrived. The Falcons drafted Jones in 2011 and immediately his impact was felt. Through the decade, he would become the unquestioned best receiver in Falcons history and make a case for the best ever. He set the standard and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame. Then, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu continued along the line.
Unfortunately, Ridley’s time in Atlanta was cut short, but he ended up a few hundred yards away from being in the top 10 for receiving yards in franchise history in far fewer games than the rest. Now, the next generation of pass catchers is here.
Following a couple of seasons of underwhelming play because of shaky quarterbacks, Drake London is undoubtedly a top 10 receiver in football right now. The Falcons star wideout ranks 4th in receptions (44), 7th in yards (491), and tied for 3rd in touchdowns (5). That’s a top 10 receiver.
He’s Batman, and the Falcons have a Robin. Darnell Mooney was signed in free agency this past offseason following a less-than-ideal start to his career with the Bears. People believed it was an overpay. Now, he’s half of one of the most valuable wide receiver duos in the NFL, according to PFF WAR.
The most valuable WR duos this season, per PFF WAR pic.twitter.com/UotschwRP5
— PFF (@PFF) October 24, 2024
That’s elite company, and they deserve the praise. Through seven games, the Falcons duo has accounted for 905 yards and 8 touchdowns on 76 receptions. The club is finally realizing their investment in London, and it didn’t take long for Mooney to have a similar impact.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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