Drafting early in fantasy football drafts can be tough. All the players are talented and in situations we believe will make them the stars of our fantasy teams. Picking the right player, and more importantly, avoiding a bust, can make or break your season.
One of the hardest choices early in drafts is between Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. Who’s the better pick? Let’s break it down.
Drake London 2025 Outlook
ADP: 19.5, WR9
London didn’t quite live up to the hype early in his NFL career. The Falcons took him with the No. 8 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after a strong run at USC, where he totaled 160 catches for 2,153 yards and 15 touchdowns in 27 games. London, at 6’4″ and 213 pounds, ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and projected as a classic outside receiver.
But his first two seasons were underwhelming. London finished with solid numbers, 141 receptions for 1,771 yards and six touchdowns, but had a hard time breaking out while catching passes from Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, and Marcus Mariota.
That changed in 2024.
Atlanta went all-in at quarterback last offseason, signing Kirk Cousins, recovering from an Achilles injury, to a $100 million deal and drafting Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
London responded with his best season yet, despite some inconsistency at quarterback. He caught 100 of 158 targets for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. After just 12 games with at least eight targets in his first two seasons combined, London had 11 such games in 2024. He also had more 100-yard games in 2024 (three) than in his previous two seasons combined.
That boost at quarterback paid off in fantasy, too. Per fantasydata.com, London finished as WR14 in PPR points per game (16.2). He also had three top-12 weekly finishes, including WR2 in Week 5 (33.4 points) and WR1 in Week 18 (40.7 points).
He also found solid chemistry with Penix over the final three games of the season. During that stretch, London caught 22 of 39 passes for 352 yards and two scores. That said, more than half of that production, 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns, came in Week 18 with Darnell Mooney out.
Fantasy users are drafting London as WR9 with an ADP of 19.5. Based on his 2024 ceiling and the presence of a strong-armed young quarterback, that price tag feels fair for a player who may finally be taking off.
A.J. Brown 2025 Outlook
ADP: 21.5, WR10
Brown has been one of the NFL’s most productive wideouts since joining the Eagles in 2022. Over the past three seasons, he’s averaged 133 targets, 87 receptions, 1,344 yards, and eight touchdowns per year — including 2024, when he played only 13 games due to a lingering knee injury.
Even limited, Brown still looked like the same explosive threat. But the big games weren’t as steady.
He had five games with at least eight targets and 100 receiving yards. However, the injury ultimately took a toll. Brown’s final stat line, 97 targets, 67 catches, 1,079 yards, and seven touchdowns, was his lowest since 2021, back when he was still with the Titans.
Still, thanks to some big weeks, Brown finished as WR13 in PPR points per game (16.5). He posted five top-10 finishes and one top-five weekly performance, a 23.6-point outing in Week 6.
AJ Brown as an Eagle:
— 17 games with > 100 yards — 1st and 2nd on the single season receiving yards list as an Eagle — 3x All Pro (2nd team) — 1x Super Bowl Champion This is only the beginning for @1kalwaysopen_ 🦅 pic.twitter.com/7PRdCA2Sr5 — AJ Muse (@aj_muse_) June 3, 2025
Brown is still in his prime and remains one of the toughest receivers to tackle after the catch. But one concern going into 2025 is how dominant Philadelphia’s defense has become.
The Eagles controlled games in 2024 behind a top-tier defense and the NFL’s best rushing attack, powered by Saquon Barkley. As a result, Jalen Hurts threw just 361 passes, his fewest in a season since 2020. That formula might not change much in 2025, which means Brown will need to stay efficient with fewer looks.
Should I Draft Brown or London in 2025?
Choosing between London and Brown in Round 2 comes down to picking an ascending talent versus a proven star.
I lean toward Brown in 2025 redraft leagues. We know the Eagles’ offense works, and Brown is the top option when they pass. He’s still in his prime and dangerous after the catch when healthy.
London is talented, but there’s more uncertainty around whether Michael Penix Jr. can consistently deliver the ball. He had a 58% completion rate in 2025.
If Barkley gets hurt or the defense takes a step back, the Eagles may throw more in 2025. That would only boost Brown’s value and his shot at a big year.
London looks like a future top-end receiver. But for now, Brown is still the safer and more proven fantasy pick.
