Who Should I Start? Drake London or Rome Odunze

Wednesday, April 30, 1:03 PM

The Atlanta Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on wide receiver Drake London on Wednesday, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. This was a no-brainer decision after London posted career-highs in catches (100), targets (158), receiving yards (1,271) and touchdowns (nine) in 17 starts in 2024 in his third year in the NFL. The 23-year-old eighth overall pick in 2022 will now be under contract with the Falcons through the 2026 season, but he could sign a long-term extension well before that if he has another big year in 2025. It was impressive performance for London last year, especially when considering that quarterback Kirk Cousins fell flat in his first year back from an Achilles tear and was benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. late in the season. It's good news that he caught 22 passes for 352 yards and two TDs in the final three games with Penix. London is a surefire WR1 in fantasy.

Thursday, May 22, 3:32 PM

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is "extremely impressed" with wide receiver Rome Odunze this offseason. The Washington product had a decent rookie season considering the immense target competition from Keenan Allen and DJ Moore in 2024, especially while catching passes from a rookie quarterback. However, he was not a consistent fantasy football producer. With Johnson in Chicago and Allen out of the way, Odunze could be headed toward a Year-2 leap. "To be a second-year guy, you would expect a little bit more inconsistency," Johnson said. "And yet, the way he approaches the meeting room, the walk-throughs, the on-field, the drill work, it's very much like a seasoned pro, some of the best that I've been around." This is encouraging for Odunze's fantasy prospects, but the team added former Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and former Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in the first two rounds of last month's draft, so target competition will remain a factor. The jury is also still out on Caleb Williams, and Odunze has a wide range of outcomes in 2025. His low-end WR3 cost in fantasy football drafts makes him an intriguing dart throw in redraft and best ball leagues.