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Whew. Here's a huge contract extension for a division rival that carries big implications for the New Orleans Saints. Drake London got a massive contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that it's a $141 million deal worth up to $150 million, with $100 million of it guaranteed. Between performance and pedigree, Chris Olave and the Saints should eventually land on numbers in the same neighborhood.
London has appeared in seven more games than Olave, but he's only caught 18 more passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. When you break it down to a per-game basis, Olave averages more receptions (5.3) and receiving yards (67.8) per game than London (5.0 catches and 63.9 yards). Both players average 12.8 yards per reception. Take the performance with the pedigree -- London was drafted at eighth overall, Olave went at No. 11 in the same draft class -- and you get a good idea of what Olave's contract should look like.
If you're curious, London's new deal clocks in at $35.25 million per year. That's third-most around the league behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15 million) and Ja'Marr Chase ($40.25 million), ahead of Justin Jefferson ($35 million) and CeeDee Lamb ($34 million). Those are big numbers, but it's the kind of company Olave has proven he's joined. The Saints have an estimated $48.95 million in salary cap space for 2027, and extending Olave will take a chunk out of it but clever accounting can keep it manageable. With cornerstones like Demario Davis, Taysom Hill, Tyrann Mathieu and Ryan Ramczyk going off the books in recent years, the Saints are finally reaching a point where they can invest in the next generation while continuing to bring in more talent through free agency.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Falcons extend Drake London: What it means for Saints WR Chris Olave
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London has appeared in seven more games than Olave, but he's only caught 18 more passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. When you break it down to a per-game basis, Olave averages more receptions (5.3) and receiving yards (67.8) per game than London (5.0 catches and 63.9 yards). Both players average 12.8 yards per reception. Take the performance with the pedigree -- London was drafted at eighth overall, Olave went at No. 11 in the same draft class -- and you get a good idea of what Olave's contract should look like.
If you're curious, London's new deal clocks in at $35.25 million per year. That's third-most around the league behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15 million) and Ja'Marr Chase ($40.25 million), ahead of Justin Jefferson ($35 million) and CeeDee Lamb ($34 million). Those are big numbers, but it's the kind of company Olave has proven he's joined. The Saints have an estimated $48.95 million in salary cap space for 2027, and extending Olave will take a chunk out of it but clever accounting can keep it manageable. With cornerstones like Demario Davis, Taysom Hill, Tyrann Mathieu and Ryan Ramczyk going off the books in recent years, the Saints are finally reaching a point where they can invest in the next generation while continuing to bring in more talent through free agency.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Falcons extend Drake London: What it means for Saints WR Chris Olave
Continue reading...
