4 Atlanta Falcons whose stock is on the rise after week one

3. Drake London

Atlanta’s rookie receiver has a tall task of attempting to replace Calvin Ridley or Julio Jones depending on whether or not you believe Ridley was ever truly a number one receiver. Regardless, London delivered in his first game against one of the better secondaries in the league. Drake finished the game with 74-receiving yards and was obviously Mariota’s primary target the first week of the season.

While there are sure to be down games for the rookie if he can deliver in week one against the Saints there shouldn’t be any question of his ceiling moving forward. While many had pointed out his lack of speed this point is exaggerated as demonstrated on Sunday. What he lacks in straight-line speed he makes up for with precise route running and a shiftiness that consistently created open space against the Saints.

It was a great start to his career and gave Atlanta reason to hope they have a star receiver they have been missing since Julio Jones left Atlanta two seasons ago. It is fun to consider how great this Atlanta offense is now capable of being if the team can find a way to get Drake London, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Kyle Pitts all clicking at the same time. If that happens this offense is capable of beating anyone this season.