Drake London to make over $35M per year on new Falcons deal

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is about to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL after agreeing to terms on a four-year, $141 million extension with the team on Tuesday. The deal includes $100 million in guaranteed money and could be worth up to $150 million in total incentives.

London will make $35.25 million per year on his new contract, which ranks third among NFL wide receivers, just barely ahead of Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ($35 million per year). Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks leads all wide receivers with an average of $42.15 million per season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase ranks second at $40.15 million per year. Rounding out the top five is Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at $34 million per season.

While London has been great at times, he isn't quite on the level of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase at this point in his career. However, London has put up solid numbers without the benefit of a star quarterback. Jefferson struggled last season with J.J. McCarthy at QB, and Chase hasn't been as good without Joe Burrow .

London had to play with Marcus Mariota , Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback to begin his career and still put up decent numbers. The 24-year-old has amassed nearly 4,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns since being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of USC.

According to Spotrac , London's average annual salary will take up nearly 12 percent of the salary cap.

"Drake London's $35.25M AAV represents 11.70% of the current NFL salary cap, which ranks 9th among WRs, just ahead of Garrett Wilson 's extension in NY," Spotrac posted on social media.

The Falcons needed a new No. 1 wide receiver after trading away Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in back-to-back years, and so far, London has gotten the job done. If Atlanta can solidify the QB position this season, London should soon become a household name.