Bijan Robinson was one of the can’t miss players from the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Texas Longhorn was one of the most dynamic offensive threats coming out of college. It was no surprise when he went in the top-10 to the Atlanta Falcons who were in need of weapons. Unfortunately, Robinson’s rookie season didn’t go as planned for dynasty football owners.

There were flashes but his usage in the Falcons system was perplexing, to say the least. Will that change in 2024 with Kirk Cousins on board and a new offensive system? Let’s break that down further and offer some advice on what to do with Bijan Robinson in dynasty leagues.

2023

Before the start of the 2023 season, Bijan Robinson was getting all the hype as the next superstar. In many dynasty leagues, he was a must-have commodity and he was quickly rising up draft boards. He was also the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. As we now know that award went to C.J. Stroud with Robinson receiving just 3 first-place votes.

In his NFL debut against the Panthers Robinson scored on a receiving touchdown and had 83 yards from scrimmage. It was a solid debut for the rookie. The next week against the Packers Robinson broke out with 124 rushing yards and another 48 yards receiving. Although he didn’t score things we looking up for the rookie. Unfortunately, he was never ever to duplicate that performance and was inconsistent the rest of the season.

Things really got strange for Robinson in week 7. He had just 1 rush for 3 yards in the win against Tampa Bay. This perplexed many fantasy owners because Robinson wasn’t on the injury report. After the game, he claimed that his head was hurting and that was the reason for the lack of carries. The whole situation was odd and it seemed there were some behind the scenes issues there. In all Robinson finished his 2023 campaign with 1,463 yards from scrimmage and 8 total touchdowns.

2024

Fast forward to this season and the hype is once again building for Robinson. The Falcons have a brand new coaching staff with Zac Robinson taking over the offense. Like new head coach Raheem Morris, Robinson comes for the Rams after 5 seasons under Sean McVay.

There is also a new quarterback in town in Kirk Cousins. Cousins is still playing at a top-10 level and will make everyone on this offense better including Robinson. There are also two new offensive threats in receivers Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore. These two newcomers to go along with Drake London will give Cousins weapons at all of the skill positions.

Bijan Robinson’s Dynasty Value

What is the current value of Bijan Robinson dynasty shares? Right now he is RB1 on KeepTradeCut and the 12th overall player in their rankings. This is somewhat surprising given the season he just had but dynasty players are likely betting on a much better offense in 2024. There is a ton of potential for Robinson to put up big numbers for the Falcons.

Given the current value, I recommend you trade Robinson right now. I do believe his numbers will go up but I don’t have him as high on my board. Time to cash in on his current value.

The post Bijan Robinson Dynasty Outlook appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Jordan Love (@ Den) – The last time we saw Jordan Love he threw 3 interceptions against the Raiders. It was a rough outing for Love but up next he faces the lowly Broncos defense. The Broncos are allowing an average of 21.5 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the Packers are coming off a bye. For the most part, Love has had a solid debut season in Green Bay and he is a viable fantasy option with his rushing ability. I expect Love to finish with 2 passing touchdowns and over 30+ rushing yards in this one.

Sit ‘Em

Trevor Lawrence (@ NO) – As of now it looks like Lawrence will suit up tonight against the Saints. He is dealing with a minor knee injury but it’s not expected to be serious. Even if completely healthy the Saints have mostly shut down opposing quarterbacks allowing an average of 14.1 fantasy points per game to them. If Lawrence does play I expect the Jaguars to lean heavily on Travis Etienne in this one. I would also be hesitant to start any Jaguars pass catchers tonight.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Brian Robinson Jr. (@ NYG) – Robinson has yet to break the 100+ rushing mark in a game but that could change on Sunday. Robinson will go up against a Giants defense that as a team is giving up 147.5 rushing yards per game. Really the only thing holding Robinson back is the pass-heavy play calling by Eric Bieniemy. This is the week to lean in on the run as wind could be a factor in this game.

Sit ‘Em

Raheem Mostert (@ Phi) – Sit a skill player on the Dolphins offense? It sounds crazy but Miami is set to face the Eagles defense that has been stout against the run. The Eagles are allowing an average of just 9.4 fantasy points to opposing running backs thus far. It will also be a chilly Sunday night game in Philly which favors the Eagles at home. This will be a good measuring stick game for the Dolphins on the road. I will be watching closely to see how well their offense performs in these conditions.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

Drake London (@ TB) – Drake London started the season slowly but is starting to heat up. He had 9 receptions on 12 targets for 125 receiving yards last week vs. the Commanders. London has had 21 targets in the last two games as the Falcons are looking to get him more involved in the passing game. Up next is Tampa Bay who have struggled to contain #1 receivers this season. I see London getting his 3rd touchdown of the season in this one.

Sit ‘Em

George Pickens (@ LAR) – Last time we saw him Pickens scored the go-ahead touchdown in week 5 vs. the Ravens. He finished with 130 receiving yards in that game and 23.6 fantasy points. Up next is the Rams defense who have been solid against opposing wide receivers so far this season. On top of that, it looks like Diontae Johnson is set to return from IR which will take some of the targets away from Pickens.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Michael Mayer (@ Chi) – It took some time but Michael Mayer finally showed off his potential in week 6. Mayer finished with 6 catches and 75 receiving yards on 6 targets against the Patriots. Up next he gets the Bears defense who have struggled stopping opposing tight ends this season. If you are thin at tight end, Mayer is worth starting and he is still just 12.8% rostered in leagues.

Sit ‘Em

Hunter Henry (vs. Buf) – Henry had a strong start to the season but has been non-existent in his last two games. He is also dealing with an ankle injury that will limit his mobility. The matchup isn’t great either as the Patriots will face the Bills at home on Sunday. Sit Henry until he regains his early-season form.

Start of the Week

Aaron Jones (@ Den) – Despite dealing with a hamstring injury that has him limited in practice, Jones is set for a big day on Sunday. The Packers are coming off a bye which should help in Jones’s recovery. He is also facing the Broncos rush defense whom have been abysmal at stopping opposing running backs. As usual, be sure to monitor his injury but if he is good to go Jones should go off in week 7.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Studs

Tua Tagovailoa/Tyreek Hill – We knew the Dolphins and Chargers had the potential to be high scoring and that’s just what we got. This dynamic duo could not be stopped as Hill hauled in 11 receptions for 215 yards and totaled 39 FP in Half PPR. Tagovailoa had a league high 466 yards including 3 passing touchdowns for a total of 28.1 FP. If Tagovailoa can stay healthy this offense will hum all season long.

Dallas Cowboys D/ST – The Cowboys absolutely dismantled the New York Giants on Sunday night. If you started the Cowboys defense you are likely winning your matchup as they finished with 37 FP. The Giants offense never had a chance to get going as their o-line failed to protect Daniel Jones all night long. This could be a long season for Jones and the Giants if they don’t fix their protection issues.

Brandon Aiyuk – The San Francisco 49ers had another dominating performance this time in Pittsburgh. Aiyuk led the way with 8 receptions on 8 targets. He hauled in 2 receiving touchdowns and had 129 receiving yards on the day. Aiyuk very much looks to be the #1 WR for the 49ers as he had a 28.6% target share. If he can stay consistent and healthy he is in for a big year.

Aaron Jones – Jones was one of our recommended starts in our week 1 start ’em, sit ’em column. He finished as RB1 on the day before he left the game with an apparent hamstring issue. We will have to monitor the hamstring but Jones remains a must-start for the foreseeable future.

Duds

Drake London – We expected London to take the next step in his trajectory for year 2 but he was non-existent on Sunday. London finished with 0 catches on only one target. Don’t bail just yet on him but this opening game dud is not ideal.

Tee Higgins – The entire Bengals offense was stuck in the mud for much of the game vs. Cleveland on Sunday. Credit the Browns defense but these stats don’t look good. Somehow Higgins finished with 0 receptions despite having 8 targets. That is one crazy stat.

Antonio Gibson – Gibson had a day to forget for the Washington Commanders. There was a lot of hype surrounding how Gibson would be utilized in Eric Bieniemy’s offense this year. A costly fumble limited Gibson to just 4 touches on the day. Again don’t bail on Gibson just yet but I wouldn’t be starting him.

Monday Night Football Preview

We have a juicy matchup on tap when the Buffalo Bills visit the New York Jets tonight. For the Bills, you’re obviously starting Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Beyond that, I am not yet ready to start James Cook or Dalton Kincaid. The Jets defense is once again loaded and it will be tough sledding for the Bills offense.

On the Jets side of the ball, I am starting Garrett Wilson but sitting Aaron Rodgers. I need to see how this offensive line protects before starting Rodgers. Also, I am staying away from the Jets running backs until I see how they are utilized.

The post 2023-24 Week 1 Fantasy Football Recap appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

QB Derek Carr $5300
Derek Carr plays against the Titans today whom were 29th in the league in fantasy points to opposing QBs last year. Allowing 274.8 YPG through the air, ranking dead last at 32nd this Titans team didn’t do a whole lot to improve their secondary. They are great up front as they were the number 1 defense against the run last year. Carr is my favorite stack play of the day.

QB Justin Herbert $6900
This game has the highest over under of any game on the slate today. Two high powered offenses with a whole lot of talent, and two defenses while boasting many talented players, do give up a lot of points. Dolphins gave up 23.2 PPG while the Chargers gave up 22.7. Herbert could be in line for a QB1 performance as the Dolphins were 30th in the league last year in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs.

Dart Throws at QB
Desmond Ridder/Baker Mayfield $4900
If you’re looking to play a lot of high priced studs, I can see either of these guys throwing for 2 TDs today.

Running Backs

RB JK Dobbins $6600
Finally healthy with a lot more weapons on the outside will mean that Dobbins will be in an excellent position to succeed. He should see less men in the box as there is more attention paid to the pass catchers in this offense. Dobbins also gets a juicy opportunity against the team that allowed the most rushing yards(170.2) and fantasy points(28.5) to RB per game last year in the Houston Texans.

RB Raheem Mostert $5400
The Chargers allowed 144.2 YPG on the ground last year as they were one of three teams to give up over 2000 yards last year. With Jeff Wilson Jr going on IR the only competition he will really have in the backfield will be rookie Devin Achane. He could be in line for a 100 yard game with a TD.

RB Brian Robinson Jr $5100
The Cardinals are going to be bad this year, and not in the good way. They ranked 29th in fantasy points against RBs as they gave up a lot of over 100 receptions to RBs last year. I expect a huge day in check downs on top of his work on the ground.

Dart Throws at RB
Devin Achane $4900
AJ Dillon $5200
Gus Edwards $4500

Wide Receivers

WR Chris Olave $6500
If Derek Carr is going to dice up this defense, I want to stack him with Olave. As bad as the Titans were against the QB last year, they were the worst against the WR in fantasy, ranking 32nd. I expect multiple Saints receivers to be celebrating in the end zone today, Olave has the best chance at topping 100 yards as well.

WR Justin Jefferson $8800
He was the number 1 player drafted in fantasy for a reason, he’s the highest salaried player for a reason. If you’re playing him, you’re going to need a lot of value plays to match him up. Not much else to say here, he’s amazing.

WR Keenan Allen $7300
I’m expecting a huge bounce back season from Allen as he and Herbert continue to grow their connection. Great matchup to start as Allen should see somewhere near 12 targets today, and a few of those in the red zone.

Dart Throws at WR
Drake London $5400
Michael Thomas $5100
Could see either of these guys in the end zone today.

Tight Ends

TE TJ Hockenson $5900
After trading for Hockenson last year, he quickly became one of Kirk Cousin’s favorite targets. The number two to JJ, in a very solid matchup, Buccaneers ranked 29th against TEs last year. I could see a double digit target number with a TD for Hock today.

TE Greg Dulcich $4000
Sean Payton loves his TE in the red zone, but Dulcich is a solid route runner with above average athleticism. He should have a great year in this system and I would look for him to have a solid return on a low price point today.

TE Logan Thomas $3200
These are the kind of values you need to play other than the higher priced studs. The cliche is a young QB needs a good TE to get the ball out quickly, and I believe the cliche will ring true today. I expect a 8 target day for Logan Thomas and wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.

Dart Throw at TE
Taysom Hill $3700
He could throw a pass, run the ball, and catch the ball. Taysom Hill is the Ultimate Dart Throw.

Defense/ST

D/ST Washington $2800
The Commanders are a better defense than they get credit for. They can pressure the QB and create turnovers. Big upside play.

D/ST Baltimore $4000
Highest defense on the slate, if you have the money left over, don’t be afraid to spend it on the Ravens.

D/ST Eagles $3700
Sacks, sacks, sacks, and of course sacks.

Optimal lineup
QB Derek Carr
RB Brian Robinson Jr
RB JK Dobbins
WR Chris Olave
WR Michael Thomas
WR Keenan Allen
Flex Raheem Mostert
TE TJ Hockenson
D/ST Washington Commanders

Good Luck everyone, I’ll see you out there. Let’s make that money.

The post DFS Plays for Week 1 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The Good

To be successful in the modern NFL you need good to great quarterback play and the ability to get after the opposing teams quarterback. The Falcons have the second ingredient covered as they have recently beefed up their defensive line. Grady Jarrett, who was named one of the biggest draft steals in the last 10 years, is the clear leader on this stout D-line. At age 30, Jarrett is showing no signs of slowing down. He finished last season with 6 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. The Falcons brought in Calais Campbell this offseason to team with Jarrett. Campbell is coming off an impressive year where he had 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. These two defensive stalwarts will be a tough duo to stop.

In today’s NFL, it’s never a good idea to draft a running back in the top 10 unless that running back is Bijan Robinson. Robinson has all the tools to make him an elite NFL weapon. He will instantly upgrade the Falcons offense and his versatility will allow him to be on the field in any situation. You can expect Robinson to be heavily utilized for a team that is shaky at the quarterback position. Robinson is my early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Bad

As we’ve mentioned before the Falcons quarterback situation is shaky at best. Desmond Ridder will most likely be the week 1 starter but how long will he last? Ridder was dead last in our NFL quarterback tiers for 2023 and will need to show he can be more than a game manager. The Falcons brought in career backup Taylor Heinicke as a security blanket in case Ridder falters. Heinicke has shown he can be more than serviceable if called upon. My hunch is that we will be seeing Heinicke at some point this season.

The Falcons have two excellent young receiving threats in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. They have shown they can be a problem for opposing defenses. With that said the Falcons probably have one of the weakest wide receiver groups in the NFL. Outside of London they are all unproven or have failed at previous stops (see JJ Arcega-Whiteside). The combo of an unproven quarterback and lack of talent at the receiver position doesn’t bode well for the Falcons offense. I would’ve liked to see the Falcons address this position more in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Prediction

Ultimately, the Falcons defense is good enough to keep them in most games but the offense will struggle this season. Outside of the weak NFC South, it’s hard to see many wins on their schedule. This will be another year where Atlanta misses the playoffs however the future is bright. I expect the Falcons to address the quarterback position next offseason while they keep building around their young core.

2023 Record: 6-11

The post Atlanta Falcons Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Drake London had all the hype coming out of USC. He was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2022 NFL Draft and was the first wide receiver selected. Even though the Falcons already had Kyle Pitts they were lacking a true star receiver. They pounced on London hoping he would be the answer. In terms of fantasy, his pre-draft ranking was #27 WR according to FantasyPros ECR. London ended up with 142.6 FP (Half PPR) and played in all 17 games. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to handle Drake London dynasty shares going forward.

2022

London had a strong debut game against the New Orleans Saints. He tallied 74 yards on 5 receptions. He also had 7 targets which shows the Falcons were game-planning to get him the ball. Although he didn’t score in his debut, London showed the NFL game was not too big for him. Next up the Falcons went on the road against Los Angeles Rams. London had another strong outing and this time hit paydirt for the first receiving touchdown of his career. He finished the game with 20.6 FP which was his highest output all season.

Drake London scored once again the following week against the Seattle Seahawks although he only had 3 receptions on the day. After the Seahawks game, London’s production plummeted. He went six games without a touchdown and this caused many fantasy owners to lose faith in him. Fortunately, London picked up momentum toward the end of the season. In his final game, he had 120 yards receiving which was the highest of the year.

2023

First off there are two things I love about Drake London going into next year. One is his durability as he played in all 17 games for the Falcons. The other is his target share. He was third in total targets (117) only behind Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. The problem is consistency at the quarterback position. Is Desmond Ridder the guy? Or could Taylor Heinicke take over the reins? Either way, the Falcons QB position has me worried about London going forward.

Drake London’s Dynasty Value

Where do I rank Drake London’s dynasty value for next season? I have him in the Hold category for now. There is a lot to like about his usage in the Falcons offense. Having said that, he only had 4 touchdowns on the year despite not missing any games. Let’s wait and see how the quarterback position shakes out this summer before we make any moves on London.

Want more dynasty football coverage? Check out our other dynasty outlook articles and more in our dynasty fantasy football section.

The post Drake London Dynasty Outlook Right Now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons selected Kyle Pitts fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft – which made him the highest drafted tight end of all time. Pitts didn’t win Offensive Rookie of The Year a season ago, but he did impressively haul in 1,026 receiving yards. PFF also nicely gave Pitts a potent 80.3 grade for his 2021 performance.

So, the trendy question is for the Falcons sophomore TE: will 2022 be Pitts’s world? Well, I’m not quite convinced that he will mop the floor against opponents and be dubbed as the next Gronk in 2022.

He is surrounded by a rookie WR named Drake London (who should get the green light in Week 1) who has been nothing short of a stud this summer. He is undoubtedly a massive improvement from Russell Gage, who was the Falcons leading wideout in 2021. Besides the former USC god inflicting pain on opponents, ATL will rely on the ole-familar Cordarrelle Patterson to be a nightmare, after he ousted 548 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season.

Most importantly, the Falcons took a step down in the passing talent column this off-season, by switching from Matty Ice to Marcus Mariota. Since 2010, Ryan hasn’t thrown under 3,900+ passing yards. Meanwhile, the former Oregon Duck and current Falcons QB1 averaged 3,001 passing yards between 2015 and 2018. It won’t be easy for Mariota to blow the doors off opposing defenses with his arm, to say the least.

Pitts’s opponents are also more glamorous than last season. For example, the Saints inked the Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) and he’s been nothing short of a versatile freak and a shut-down defensive back. He was a key reason why Kittle only caught 4 passes for 36 yards in Super Bowl LIV.

Pitts is gifted and he’s really improved his craft this off-season, but he can’t demolish opponents by himself. Will he have 700+ receiving yards and 4+ touchdowns? Probably. Yet, I don’t foresee him having 1,200+ yards and 8+ touchdowns. I could visualize him having a 2022 season that is similar to his 2021 campaign, so he may haul in 850 yards and 5 TDs. With that enunciated, I believe Pitts is a tad overrated entering the 2022 season.

The post Is Kyle Pitts overrated right now? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Atlanta Falcons will need to rely on underdog talent if they want to play spoilers in 2022. With that said, I’m going to simply untwine three breakout candidates that should help the Falcons be more dangerous in 2022.

Mykal Walker

Mykal Walker has been a special athlete with limited production. Well, I believe his coming-out party will occur with a larger role in his third NFL season. I also expect the injury-riddled Deion Jones will likely be traded (or cut) from the team. Falcons Wire has suggested that Jones is a post-June 1st trade candidate and I would be shocked if the LB group that witnessed a couple of new faces (including a wiser Walker) breaks up with Jones.

Chris Lindstrom

Chris Lindstrom had his best season in 2021, as he only allowed eight QB hits and 23 QB hurries. I expect him to not only improve but become more noticeable in the Matt Ryan-less offense. Touchdown Wire has already pointed out that Chris Lindstrom is one of the league’s most underrated players. I foresee a Pro Bowl berth on the horizon for Lindstrom.

Drake London

Drake London may be a rookie, but I expect he will be a fantasy football gem in 2022. The recent eighth overall pick has already garnered serious praise from his teammates. Kyle Pitts believes that the physical WR will be the best rookie from the draft class. London should really be a popular target in the Calvin Ridley-less offense in high-scoring NFC South showdowns.

The post 3 breakout candidates on the Atlanta Falcons appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Michael Welsh

Garrett Wilson

With the Los Angeles Rams winning Super Bowl LVI, we have officially entered the 2022 off-season in the NFL. There will be a lot of exciting moves with trades and free agency within the next few months, along with draft breakdowns after the NFL Combine in March. The Cleveland Browns need weapons, most notably a dynamic wide receiver. There will be plenty available at pick 13, and some believe that Garrett Wilson from Ohio State will be on the board. Let’s take a look at some of his strengths and weaknesses and if he would fit nicely in Cleveland.

Strengths

There isn’t a wide receiver prospect in this draft that is as good at ball tracking as Garrett Wilson. He just has a specific way of finding the ball in the air and making the play. That combined with his good hands make him a legit weapon at the pro level.

One things the Browns seemed to lack at critical times in 2021 was pass-catchers creating yards after the catch. It turns out one aspect of Wilson’s game is his great ability to create yards after the catch. This is so important and could be a game-changer for Baker Mayfield and the offense.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski loves screen plays. The offense often runs wide receiver screens fairly often, and this could increase even more if they draft Garrett Wilson. He is really good on screens and has a nice burst that can turn one yard into over ten in a blink of an eye.

Weaknesses

If there’s one area that Garrett Wilson must improve on at the pro level, its his route running. He isn’t terrible by any means, but there is plenty to work on. He lacks consistency in that area, but luckily good coaching can improve that quickly.

Wilson is 6′ 192 pounds. It isn’t a bad size, but for the Browns it might become an issue. Baker Mayfield has a tendency to overthrow his pass catchers, so this has caused a lot of fans to say they need more size in the receiver room. Truth be told, Wilson has a similar frame to Odell Beckham Jr, who we all know did not mesh well with Baker Mayfield. That doesn’t mean Wilson will follow in the same footsteps, but it is something to think about.

Cleveland needs a player that can stretch the field, and Wilson may not be that. He seems to fit more in a slot receiver role, which is totally fine, but if the Browns keep Jarvis Landry then that could get challenging. Wilson isn’t going to be a game-breaker like Ja’marr Chase or Justin Jefferson. So it will be interesting to see if he would be what Cleveland needs.

Overall Garrett Wilson would be a good pick for the Browns at 13. He doesn’t fit everything that they need and he isn’t as polished as some prospects from the last few years, but he would still elevate the offense. Picking him would depend on who is available and if Andrew Berry targets a big-framed wide receiver in free agency such as Mike Williams. Pairing Mike Williams with Garrett Wilson and then keeping Jarvis Landry in the slot would be a dynamic receiver room.

Ohio State has a way of producing very talented wide receivers, and for the 2022 draft, it is no different. In addition to Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave is a first-round prospect that the Browns might take a look at. Most mocks do not have him going as early as pick 13, but if Andrew Berry likes him enough then he might take him there or trade back to acquire more assets.

Chris Olave

Strengths

One could argue that Chris Olave is the most NFL-ready wide receiver in the draft. He is very fast and has fantastic route-running skills that help create separation. He is just one of those guys who always seems to be open. He is 6’1″ and 188 pounds, so he will need to bulk up a little bit at the pro level. But he is a Justin Jefferson type guy, just not as polished.

Olave is also pretty versatile. He can lineup in the slot or on the outside, which helps keep defenses on their toes. He also has the ability to create yards after the catch, which goes a long way. He is smaller but plays like a slightly bigger receiver at times.

Weaknesses

Like a lot of college-wide receivers, Christ Olave is not the best blocker. He will need to put on more muscle and learn to handle NFL defensive backs in the blocking game. His size will be a big hurdle in the pros.

Olave has played a lot of his college snaps against zone coverage, so he will have to improve against press coverage. His overall awareness and ability to read defenses from the wide receiver position will need to elevate in order to have consistent success.

Accolades

2021 first-team All-America

2021 first-team All-Big Ten

2020 first-team All-Big Ten

If Garrett Wilson is already off the board, Drake London is a great option that has many different traits that separate him from Wilson. Many consider London to be the first or second-best receiver option in the draft. What makes him that good of a prospect? Let’s take a look.

Drake London

Strengths

The most enticing thing about Drake London is his size. He stands tall at 6’5″ and is roughly 210 pounds. Another Thant David Njoku at Tight End, Baker Mayfield hasn’t ever had a receiver that tall in his NFL career. London is that guy to go up and make the contested catches while stretching the field. He has strong hands and can be savvy with route running. He also played basketball at USC, so his jumping ability is very good.

Oftentimes guys as tall as London are not elite at running after the catch. This is not the case for the USC star. He is more elusive than he looks and that is something that Cleveland desperately needs. Improving at the deep ball is something that has to happen in 2022 if the Browns want to have success. Drafting London would be a huge step in the right direction. He finished with 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns before missing time with an ankle injury.

Weaknesses

There honestly are not that many major weaknesses with Drake London. Many have concerns since he is coming off of an injury, but it is expected for him to be fully ready to go in 2022. Because of his size, he doesn’t move very quickly laterally. This is expected, but don’t expect him to make ten guys miss in open space. He is more likely to just run them over.

There have been reports that his blocking technique is below average. This is something that can be easily fixed, so it isn’t a major cause for concern. Doing the little things in the NFL is crucial to long-term success, so he will have to improve there.

Drake London would be an amazing option at pick 13 if he is still available. Having some size in the wide receiver room could go a long way, especially with someone as talented as London. Andrew Berry will have a very tough decision if both Drake London and Garrett Wilson are on the board.

Accolades

2021 first-team All-Pac 12

2021 AP third-team All-American

In the event that both Garrett Wilson and Drake London are taken before pick 13, the Browns will still have some good options to pick from. One of them is wide receiver Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. He is kind of a mix of Wilson and London, with his own unique traits.

Treylon Burks

Strengths

Much like Drake London, Treylon Burks has a big frame and great hands to make the tough catches. He is 6’3″ and 225 pounds and is overall a very complete athlete. He is very versatile and possesses big play ability. One of those throws the ball in his direction and he will catch it type of receivers.

Adding to his versatile traits, Arkansas used him at times in the backfield and on trick plays. Kevin Stefanski loves plays like that, so he could fit right into the offense. He has also returned punts and kicks, which is something Cleveland still hasn’t solidified. He finished the 2021 season with 66 receptions for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Weaknesses

One thing Burks has to work on at the pro level is perfecting the little things. At Arkansas, there were times when he would make small, mental mistakes. In the NFL, those small errors can have a massive impact. He will have to put his head down and really learn the playbook as well.

His route running needs some work. His breaks are not very smooth and he has the tendency to freelance on routes a bit. He also needs to work on his blocking and overall effort on plays where he is not targeted.

Treylon Burks is definitely not as polished as Drake London and Garrett Wilson, but he still has immense talent that could make him a true number one receiver in the NFL. The Browns would benefit from what he brings to the table.

Accolades

2021 first-team All-SEC

The post Top WR draft targets for the Cleveland Browns appeared first on Pro Football Mania.