Can Drake London become a triple-threat receiver in 2024?

PFF's Mason Cameron ranked his top triple-threat receivers from the 2023 season. According to the article, a triple-threat receiver is a receiver that can run routes well enough to create consistent separation, can use leverage and play strength to consistently win in 50/50 situations and find those hidden yards after the catch. It's an efficiency trifecta for the receiver position. It's like joining the 40/50/90 club (40% three-point percentage, 50% field goal percentage and 90% free-throw percentage) in basketball. Joining this illustrious club in the NFL requires the receiver to rank in the 60th percentile or better in yards after catch per reception (YAC/R), contested catch rate and separation rate.

This year's triple-threat receivers are:

• Amon-Ra St. Brown - Detroit Lions
• Puka Nacua - Los Angeles Rams
• Michael Pittman Jr. - Indianapolis Colts
• Zay Flowers - Baltimore Ravens
• Wan'Dale Robinson - New York Giants
• Khalil Shakir - Buffalo Bills

Seeing the Rams' Nacua on here immediately makes me wonder whether Atlanta Falcons' wide receiver Drake London can enjoy this distinguished distinction in 2024. We explore how plausible that could be for London with the addition of Cousins and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

Below is a table of the lowest mark for each qualifying receiver and London's metric in 2023 under Arthur Smith.

Coming into the league, London was touted for his ability to win in contested catch situations, and that has translated, ranking in the 75th percentile when it comes to winning in contested catch situations last season. Given that he had the third-most contested catch opportunities in 2023 (33), it's much more impressive. The only player with a better rate with 30+ contested situations is Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans. So, that box is checked sans the improvements from Robinson's offense.

One thing that Smith didn't tap into with London is his ability to make plays after the catch. In 2021, London ranked in the top half of the country in YAC/Rec., averaging 5.2 yards after the catch at USC. In Robinson's scheme, those opportunities for London to be in space and create after the catch will be more plentiful than the comparably vanilla passing scheme that Smith implemented.

To get those opportunities, London must find a way to create separation, a concern for him pre-draft. While we don't have the separation numbers, it's safe to say that Smith's scheme didn't help manufacture much separation for any of the weapons on offense. There were too many times when you could find receivers dangerously close to each other or a route combination that didn't look to have a chance against the defense. If there is any reason that London isn't a triple-threat receiver in 2024, it would be the lack of natural separation in his route-running outside of the manufactured separation given by Robinson's scheme. 

So, what are London's chances of being a triple-threat wide receiver next season? At the high end, there's a good possibility. Nacua and Kupp worked off each other well, and we can expect that same kind of synergy between London and new acquisition Darnell Mooney or tight end Kyle Pitts, whoever is lined up next to him on a given play. Atlanta's ability to stock the cabinet with guys that can win in the slot and outside will be a benefit for London, who works best in the slot.

Regardless of whether he is a triple-threat receiver or not, London is primed for a breakout year, as are the rest of the Falcons' weapons under Robinson. Optimism is at an all-time high due to the unknown element from the latest branch off the Sean McVay tree and quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing the ball.

Will those additions be enough to unlock the potential of London? There is no indication from the numbers that he shouldn't.