The distinction a quarterback could make. Having Kirk Cousins earlier than he solely fell aside after which Michael Penix down the stretch gave Drake London and (arguably, a minimum of) Darnell Mooney their greatest quarterbacking of their younger careers, and so they took full benefit of it. Hell, Ray-Ray McCloud went from roster hopeful to productive third receiver, so for all of the justified angst over Cousins this passing recreation nonetheless had its big vivid spots.
The attractive half? The Falcons want depth at receiver and will use a compelling, younger third choice, however their prime three guys are all beneath contract for 2025 and get a full yr with Penix beneath heart. This crew is well-positioned on the…properly, place. Let’s discuss it our large receiver evaluate.
Drake London
Age: 23 | NFL expertise 3 years
2024 stats: 100 receptions, 1,271 yards, 9 receiving touchdowns, 56.3% success price, 63.3% catch price, 12.7 yards per reception, 5 drops; 1 speeding try, -3 yards
We spent the previous two years speaking about what would occur if London wasn’t stricken by off-targets throws by the likes of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke, and we came upon in 2024. London’s willingness to bulldoze by way of contact, high quality arms, and skill to make contested catches all made him intriguing and productive, however 2024 was his true breakout yr.
London posted profession highs in receptions (by 28 catches), yards (by 366 yards), and touchdowns (by 5), drawing routinely excessive targets from Cousins after which particularly from Penix, who threw him the ball 23 occasions within the season’s ultimate two weeks. London’s beforehand underappreciated pink zone utility as an enormous, sure-handed participant with underrated route working expertise was cemented by his efficiency this yr, and his means to win down the sideline and over the center of the sector endeared him to Penix, this crew’s new franchise quarterback.
The arrow is pointing manner up for London, in different phrases, and he’ll solely be 24 years previous this season. If all goes properly, count on to see him dominating hapless defensive backs and reeling in Penix bombs for years to return.
Darnell Mooney
Age: 27 | NFL expertise 5 years
2024 stats: 64 receptions, 992 yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 51.9% success price, 60.4% catch price, 15.5 yards per reception, 6 drops
A handful of drops and miscues marred Mooney’s season, and damage price him a recreation. In any other case, his first season in Atlanta was a wild and unmitigated success, as a participant Kirk Cousins and this entrance workplace fought arduous to deliver to the Falcons confirmed he was properly definitely worth the addition.
A lightning quick receiver and tremendous easy route runner, Mooney was a magician working downfield all season. He had seven video games over 80 yards and averaged over 20 yards per reception 3 times, displaying a profitable rapport with Cousins and a top quality one in that temporary spell with Penix. Mooney’s deadliness as a sideline choice due to his physique management and shiftiness have been vital to this passing recreation’s success all season lengthy, and he posted a profession excessive in receiving touchdowns (by one) and had his second-best season when it comes to yardage and receptions with Atlanta.
With a full season with Penix, whose arm is custom-built to benefit from Mooney’s velocity, he ought to be capable to comply with up a terrific first season in Atlanta with one that would exceed his 2024 manufacturing. I’m excited to see Mooney construct on this begin.
Ray-Ray McCloud
Age: 28 | NFL expertise 7 years
2024 stats: 62 receptions, 686 yards, 1 receiving landing, 51.7% success price, 71.3% catch price, 11.1 yards per reception, 3 drops, 4 fumbles; 10 rushes, 79 yards
Whereas London and Mooney hit profession highs this previous season, no one had a extra dramatic profession season than McCloud. His earlier profession marks have been 39 receptions and 277 receiving yards, that means he greater than doubled his yardage output as a receiver in 2024. That’s fairly wild.
It’s additionally a credit score to McCloud, who made himself indispensable to a feeble-armed Cousins over the center of the sector and was nonetheless making high quality catches when Penix took over. McCloud frequently received in site visitors, making robust grabs by way of contact and displaying beforehand untapped means as a receiver. Whereas I might see the Falcons searching for a brand new third receiver in 2025, McCloud ought to preserve an actual position as a result of that means to win over the center was legitimately spectacular.
The bitter notes? McCloud had a few probably the most poorly-timed drops you may think about and was susceptible to fumbling, main me to dub him probably the most chaotic participant on an offense the place non-quarterbacks largely did a superb job of not turning the ball over. That was a reputable downside, however given expectations for McCloud and his manufacturing earlier on this profession, this season was a wild success for him and the Falcons alike.
KhaDarel Hodge
Age: 30 | NFL expertise 7 years
2024 stats: 7 receptions, 131 yards, 1 landing, 50.0% success price, 57.1% catch price, 18.7 yards per reception, 1 drop
A completely very important particular teamer, Hodge performed a small however massively vital position as a receiver in 2024 with some good grabs in key conditions. None have been larger than his time beyond regulation 45 yard landing in opposition to the Buccaneers, the place he stepped in for an injured Drake London and took the Kirk Cousins go to the home, one of many single most spectacular performs of the season on offense and a game-winner.
Hodge is so good on particular groups—he a fumbled punt recovered for a landing and blocked a number of punts—that he’s a digital lock to return to Atlanta. The truth that you may often rely on him for an enormous play on offense is a serious bonus.
Casey Washington
Age: 23 | NFL expertise: Rookie
2024 stats: 1 reception, 14 yards, 50.0% success price, 50% catch price, 14 yards per reception
Washington’s rookie season featured one good seize on a Michael Penix laser in rubbish time, somewhat little bit of particular groups work, and never a lot else. He might push arduous for a bigger position in 2025, because the receiver got here to the NFL with a popularity for positive arms, however he’ll have loads of competitors as properly with the Falcons including receiver expertise already and certain again on the hunt within the NFL Draft.
Chris Blair
Age: 27 | NFL expertise 2 years
2024 stats: 1 reception, 17 yards, 50.0% success price, 50% catch price, 17 yards per reception
A kind of opponents shall be Blair. He had a pleasant summer time and earned some late run, together with a pleasant catch over the center on a ball from Penix that marked his sole catch, however he was additionally benched after working a fallacious route that led on to a Penix interception.
