Atlanta, GA
Pro Bowl Snubs – Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Pro Bowl selections and their alternates were released on Thursday. The Atlanta Falcons were well represented by Chris Lindstrom and KhaDarel Hodge as nominations along with eight alternates.
One of the most egregious omissions from the alternate list was third-year wide receiver Drake London.
Only Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, and Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown finished better in all three major receiving categories (catches, yards, touchdowns) than London through 16 regular season games.
His 90 catches are eighth among wide receivers and his 1,084 yards puts him ninth, and his seven touchdowns puts him in a tie for 13th. London battled quarterback inconsistency his first two years in the league, and 2024 was no different for the 23-year-old.
When fellow wide receiver Darnell Mooney inevitably gets one reception Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers, he and London will be the first duo in the NFL this season to eclipse 1,000 yards each. Both having done so while managing a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and two new quarterbacks.
The four NFC receivers who got Pro Bowl bids – Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Terry McLaurin have valid credentials.
The list of alternates includes Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks), Malik Nabers (Giants), and AJ Brown (Eagles).
Smith-Njigba edges London on catches and yards, but London has him on touchdowns. Same goes for Nabers. It’s hard to argue against the numbers Brown has put up despite missing three games at the beginning of the year.
Evans might be getting the veteran nod on this one. London has him beat in receptions and yards, Evans got the Pro Bowl nod.
London is clearly having his best season of his young career. One that’s worthy of some Pro Bowl recognition. If he continues putting up numbers, and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to think he won’t keep improving, the recognition will come.
Opposing defenses know exactly who Drake London is.
The Atlanta Falcons are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and they’ll be relying on a new coaching staff to help them get there. But Kevin Stefanski is no rookie; he’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, only now he’ll be working with an entirely different group of personnel after coaching in Cleveland since 2020.
In addition to a new coach, the Falcons may have a different starting quarterback as Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab last season’s torn ACL. He’ll also be competing with Tua Tagovailoa. Together, the Falcons believe they can compete for a playoff spot in the NFC South, but to do so, they’ll need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, the Falcons may not have everyone on hand to start the season.
According to The Athletic‘s Falcons insider Josh Kendall, the NFL is “likely” to suspend edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Pearce faces three felony charges after an incident with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce’s charges are for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police, and resisting arrest with violence.
“Atlanta now appears to be waiting on the NFL to decide on Pearce. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, commissioner Roger Goodell has wide latitude to impose discipline regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. The league is likely to suspend Pearce. Steelers defensive back Cam Sutton was suspended eight games in 2024 after a domestic violence incident that began as a felony charge but was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor. Goodell could also place Pearce on the commissioner’s exempt list, which serves as an indefinite suspension while the league gathers more information.”
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall on James Pearce
Pearce is coming off an excellent rookie season that saw him record a team-high 10.5 sacks while starting three of his 17 appearances. The 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft looks like he’s poised to be a star. Yet, now the 22-year-old may have to wait to start his second NFL season. The question is how long?
If Pearce is forced to miss time, the Falcons will be counting on others, such as fellow 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker, to make a bigger impact. The 22-year-old Walker recorded 5.5 sacks, making nine sacks in 15 appearances.
5 Possible Brendan Sorsby NFL Supplemental Draft Landing Spots for Late July
I’ve also heard that Atlanta sees great value in Swain at No. 23, but the Hawks have been signaling for some time that they are prepared (and perhaps even prefer) to trade their second pick in the first round after No. 8 for future draft capital. It sounds as though Atlanta will invite external trade interest for that pick until it is actually on the clock to make the selection Tuesday night.
marcstein.substack.com
Caitlin Clark talks her signature shoe, Indiana Fever player of the week, more
Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark has had social media buzz about her signature shoe, and she spoke about the technology, being a role model and more.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever continued their 2026 WNBA regular season with a 113-96 loss against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, June 20.
Clark, a former Iowa women’s basketball star, and the Fever are 9-7 after the first 16 games of the regular season.
Here’s a look at how Clark fared in Saturday’s game in Atlanta:
Caitlin Clark stats today in Indiana Fever vs Atlanta Dream
- Minutes: 34
- Points: 26
- Rebounds: 3
- Assists: 7
- Blocks: 0
- Steals: 1
- Turnovers: 7
- Fouls: 3
- FG shooting: 11-18
- 3-point shooting: 3-7
- Free throws: 1-2
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever upcoming games
- June 22: vs Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m. CT, USA Network
- June 24: vs Phoenix Mercury, 6:30 p.m. CT, USA Network
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