Drake London soars, Kyle Pitts snores in Week 2

Falcons WR Drake London led the team in receiving in Week 2, tallying 6 catches on 7 targets for 67 yards and a TD vs. the Packers. Fantasy managers who stuck with the second-year wideout in lineups were rewarded handsomely. But those who started TE Kyle Pitts? Well, they’re not so happy. Pitts only hauled in 2 of his 5 targets for 15 receiving yards in the victory. Fellow TE Jonnu Smith saw 6 targets and turned his opportunities into 4 catches for 47 yards. It’s starting to feel like both London and Pitts being viable fantasy assets in the same week might be a pipedream. Fortunately, we’re only a pair of games into the 2023 season, but early results aren’t encouraging. Pitts will have a chance to get right in Week 3 vs. the Lions.

Falcons WR Drake London had a difficult go in Week 17, catching just 4 of 10 targets for 56 receiving yards vs. the Bears. The second-year wideout ends the fantasy season, having posted six top-30 weekly finishes in PPR scoring, two of which were top-5 performances. London didn’t have a terrible season by any means, but he only saw a bump in PPR points per game from 10.5 in 2022 to 11.1 this year. The bulk of his troubles come from inconsistent volume (6.7 targets per game) and the poor QB play from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. Still, he’ll be entering his age-23 season in 2024 and did manage to put up consecutive seasons of 800+ receiving yards. London has a chance to see Atlanta make a QB upgrade in the offseason. Such a move would help his case of potentially elevating his value above being a low-end WR2 in dynasty formats, but we’ll have to remain in ‘wait-and-see’ mode on that front.

Falcons WR Drake London mustered just two catches for 24 scoreless yards in the Week 15 loss to the Panthers. Weather was a factor throughout this one, with QB Desmond Ridder throwing for only 152 yards and one TD. But it continued the trend of Atlanta's passing game being much less productive on the road than at home throughout the season. For London, that's meant 6.0 and 89 yards per game at home vs. just 3.1 catches and 34 yards per game on the road. He hasn't reached 12 PPR points in any of his seven road games. The good news: London is back at home in Week 16 for the Colts' 11th-ranked WR defense. Then it's back on the road against the Bears in Week 17.

Falcons WR Drake London hauled in 10 of 12 targets for 172 receiving yards in Week 14 vs. the Buccaneers. Each of those statistical marks set new career highs for the second-year wideout. Fantasy managers have been on a roller coaster ride all season with London. Still, Sunday’s performance highlights the impact he’s capable of having when he’s prominently featured in the Falcons’ offense. There have been eight games in 2023 in which London has received 7 or more targets; he’s averaged 16.5 PPR points per game in those instances. In the four other games where he’s seen less involvement than that, London’s average dips to 3.4 points per game. It’ll be intriguing to see whether or not he’ll be able to capitalize on this success in Week 15, going up against a Panthers defense that ranks as the second-toughest WR matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed this season.

Falcons WR Drake London (groin) practiced all week and is not listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. He can get back into fantasy lineups in the plus matchup. WR Mack Hollins (ankle) is out for Week 10.

Falcons WR Drake London (groin) was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice. He'll be ready to go for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals' 21st-ranked WR defense.