London is physical in contested-catch situations. 33 arm. to prior years and pick out the most similar comps with a clearly delineated and quantifiable method. Combine this with his long arms and his excellent catching skills and it becomes almost unfair to call these situations contested catches. An unfortunate by-product of his size, London tends to play with a high pad level. There are not many glaring weaknesses in Londons game. 2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects Heading Into NFL Combine Include Jalen Carter, Brian Branch, and Bijan Robinson, Boston Colleges Jaiden Woodbey Is Less Tweener, More Swiss Army Knife, Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa | NFL Draft Scouting Report, Michael Jefferson, WR, Louisiana | NFL Draft Scouting Report, Las Vegas Raiders 2023 Draft Prospects To Target at NFL Combine Include Anthony Richardson, Dawand Jones, and Marvin Mims. It will, however, need an offensive coordinator to use London in the right way. While his height undoubtedly helps in this regard, there are other factors at play. Negatives: Had a limited route tree at USC. Where he can improve: London is a really solid route runner, but leaned more on winning with his physical gifts. Londons USC quarterback, Kedon Slovis, has called him a quarterbacks best friend. He could stand to put on some size, but probably shouldnt if that would compromise his speed. Theyve done a phenomenal job of setting the standard in that room and what its supposed to look like. Oops. In comparison, 23-year-old Ridder threw for 708 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions on 73-of-115 passing (63.5%), good for a 6.2 A/Y and 6.5 AY/Y. However, Drake London had grown up in a USC-supporting family and he was fulfilling a dream to become a Trojan. Drake Londons first advantage at wide receiver is obvious whenever he sets foot on the field. Of course, this all depends on the fate of QB Matt Ryan, whose future with the franchise is in question after the Falcons made it very clear they would have preferred Deshaun Watson. Pro Football Network, LLC. Hes quite a bit lighter 5. Watch the video below which shows Drake Londons ball skills and yards after the cqtch ability. London possesses a vast array of skills as a receiver, but he is not straight-line quick. USC wide receiver Drake Londons collegiate career came to an official end on Wednesday as the junior declared for the NFL Draft. As expected, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft at the conclusion of the season. During his high school days at Moorpark, he was noted as a talented basketball player and this dual sport background can be seen in his athletic ability. He is locked in as a top three dynasty rookie pick in all formats. Throwing the ball generally in Londons direction will often result in a completion. London is going anywhere from the first to third overall WR taken in mock drafts. Here are the top five wideouts in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite missing four games, London ended the season with 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. In this analysis, I will use some of our advanced stats for comparison but primarily rely on traditional stats to go back further and compare the 2022 prospects to draft classes since 2006. Giving a quarterback every excuse to hang a ball up for grabs (not normally a safe play). Factor in two return touchdowns and Williams is a big play waiting to happen. My biggest passion personally is fantasy football. London is a target vacuuming WR2 with WR1 upside in 2023. Boasting the attributes of a big-bodied pass catcher but the after-the-catch athleticism of a small, shiftier receiver, Londons scouting report shows that he blurs the lines between ordinary archetypes. Wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft dont come much freakier than USC WR Drake London. Where he can improve: Calling Wilson unpolished would be a disservice to the moments of brilliance he has shown as a route runner. newsletter. He also snagged 11 touchdowns while demonstrating his versatility and athletic prowess with a 14-yard touchdown pass. DFS Optimizer bS9ucy5odG1sP2lkPUdUTS1NRjZQWFhDJmFtcDtndG1fYXV0aD1LaEg2aGVD If we look deeper than the raw counting stats, London's future is incredibly bright. We do have some measurable data for Londons physical characteristics and the percentile rank (according to Mockdraftable.com): Londons biggest strengths are his size and athleticism and his zone-breaking ability, meaning his knack for finding soft spots against zone defenses. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports. With the ball in his hands, Dotson is a natural runner who can pick up big yards after the catch. A blessing for sure to have something like that. aWQ9J2RzX2RlZmF1bHRfYW5jaG9yJz48L2Rpdj4KPC9kaXY+CjwvZGl2PgoK, Certain Data by Sportradar and Stats Perform, PCEtLSBCZWdpbiBjb21TY29yZSBUYWcgLS0+Cgo8c2NyaXB0PgogIHZhciBf TheMike Williams comp we see from the scouts doesnt really hold up here because of the differences in age and experience (Williams was a four-year player and nearly two years older than London), but there are other WRs known for their contested-catch ability on this list:DeVante Parker, DeAndre Hopkins, andDavante Adams are all players many would say thrive in such situations. Please check your email for a confirmation. If so, this lack of quickness will impact his ability to get away. But with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns off to the next level, there also seems to be genuine intrigue about seeing what London can do as an outside receiver -- at least this spring. Games reviewed in 2021: Notre Dame, Stanford, Washington State and Oregon State This is what Daniel Jeremiah had to say about London on his first big board: London is a jumbo-sized wideout with a rare catch radius and outstanding toughness. London finished his freshman campaign with 39 receptions for 567 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards per catch. For draft position, Im using an estimate based on the mock data collected at, for NFL and draft position for wide receivers: weight, 40-yard dash time and vertical jump. This points to London being above average in contested catches at the NFL level. The USC wide receiver said he will only be participating in interviews this week and not working out. After the catch, he seeks out contact and fights for extra yards. Being able to go from a pass-game set to a run-game set and not change personnel, if we can find two tight ends that we feel really good about, man, watch out. He had benefitted greatly this season moving from his previous predominantly slot position. Drake London, USC. Although he measured smaller at the NFL Combine than his USC-listed 65, you dont have to look hard to find London amongst his teammates on tape. The Bucks County native could reunite with Sean Desai in Philly. The score came as part of another 8-catch performance, racking up 125 yards in the process. Here's what Doege said about a few of those guys individually: Krommenhoek, the incumbent starter: "EK has probably had the best spring so far. On Wednesday, London gave an update on his health during his NFL Combine press conference. However, with little evidence to support that expectation, teams may prove a little wary. ICAgfSkod2luZG93LGRvY3VtZW50LCdzY3JpcHQnLCdkYXRhTGF5ZXInLCdH He ranked 22nd in raw target volume last year (117) with the fifth-highest target share (29.4%) and second-highest target per route run rate (32.4%) among wide receivers. He didnt test at the NFL Combine or the USC Pro Day. Drake London is a physically imposing receiver. In comparison, 23-year-old Ridder threw for 708 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions on 73-of-115 passing (63.5%), good for a 6.2 A/Y and 6.5 AY/Y. He is a solid route runner with very good awareness on the field. Londons junior season cements recruiting ranking, Tony Paulines scouting report for Drake London. Drake London, USC. Thats not the only thing he can do, however, and hes managed to turn into the go-to target for the Trojans offense. Where he can improve: Poor athletic testing has definitely soured many on David Bell, but he is definitely the type of player where you can shelve many athletic concerns by seeing the way he wins on tape. Hes playing at an extremely high level right now. The Falcons have selected USC receiver Drake London with the No. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! A large chunk of his game involves making contested catches and winning at the catch point. Where he can improve: Williams is lanky at 61 and may struggle with more physical coverage. He was a dominant alpha target in 2021 with both of those players off the team. Howie Roseman acknowledges Jalen Hurts deserves a tremendous contract, Mike Pettine reportedly in the mix to join the Eagles coaching staff. The fact that he was a two-sport athlete including playing a season of basketball while at USC only emphasizes this point. WebGet instant advice on your decision to draft Drake London or Mike Evans in 2023. The beautiful thing about this comps process is it often reveals players who are similar stylistically simply by observing the data. Well, "new" as defined by a number that hasnt been worn in about 50 years. 8 overall pick. In seeing London in person in Indianapolis, hes not built anything like either Evans or Johnson in terms of leg girth or upper-body muscle, either. Although serious injury hampered the unique pass catchers final season, we saw enough to conduct a scouting report that showcases game-changing potential. And it's not unnatural to him, as he was strictly an outside receiver in high school. And the big Trojan definitely raised some Detroit eyebrows with one of the first answers he gave in his podium time on Wednesday. His only deal is we have to develop his body, let him mature physically. While some athleticism concerns are noted, one AFC area scout does not seem too concerned (from the Zierlein report). At the top of that skills shopping list though, has to be the ability to go up and catch the ball, often in contested situations. He is not a big or physical player that can win consistently in traffic, and will need to improve against stickier coverage if he wants to see targets in the middle of the field. There are two themes to Drake Londons career at USC. Ohio States Garrett Wilson, Arkansas Treylon Burks, Alabamas Jameson Williams, or even Ohio States Chris Olave could be the choice ahead of London for any of these teams. For draft position, Im using an estimate based on the mock data collected at GrindingTheMocks.com. 2 and 32. So you can tell that it means a lot to him. But London would definitely like the chance. John Johnson III: Should the Lions try and sign the freshly released safety? A daily roundup of all your Philadelphia Eagles news from Bleeding Green Nation, By submitting your email, you agree to our, NFL Draft Prospect Rankings: Wide Receiver, Nick Sirianni talks new Eagles coordinators, doesnt know if Dennard Wilson will be back. WebDrake London Career Stats | NFL.com Players Injuries Transactions Health & Safety Loading Drake London WR #5 Atlanta Falcons active Info Stats Summary Career A planned individual workout then got postponed. https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/03/usc-drake-london-compares-himself-to-calvin-johnson-amon-ra-st-brown-lions-2022-nfl-combine-draft/, 7 things I'll be watching for the Lions at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. If London can become more consistent as a technical player, he would be a force to be reckoned with. We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! Definitely one of the greatest.. He is physical, a technically sound route runner, and possesses strength and ball skills to outmuscle cornerbacks down the field. dCc6CiAgICAgICAgbmV3IERhdGUoKS5nZXRUaW1lKCksZXZlbnQ6J2d0bS5q It is unknown at present how much pre-Draft preparation he will be able to achieve. Its understandable that London would want to ensure hes at full fitness, but the continual inability to test might raise significant question marks. At present, London is the 15th overall player on the Pro Football Network Top 300 Big Board. Your email address will not be published. "The tight end group has actually saved us a lot," Doege said. IHRoZSBldmVyZ3JlZW4gdmVyc2lvbiBvZiBjcy5qcyBzbyB3ZSBhbHdheXMg All rights reserved. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. The biggest name that people wanted to catch a glimpse of was first-round selection Drake London, who has been receiving a lot of hype from people within the NFL. For him being basically a [high school] senior still, hes very instinctive when it comes to football. He plays with an edge as a blocker, as well. "I tell Graham this all the time, and obviously Graham and I are the only ones who can really relate to this because we've seen it in person, but Drake London really reminds me of Michael Crabtree when he's on the outside. Honestly, hes probably playing the best football right now Ive ever seen him play. Im taking the best number from either the prospects' NFL Scouting Combine or pro-day performances. Drake London. Playing with Garrett Wilson meant Olaves role was simplified, but he has shown he can win in a variety of ways. Still needing to clean up an issue with drops, his most frequent blunders have come on in-breaking routes or ones where hes forced to work back to the quarterback. What he does well: There is so much to love about Geroge Pickens. His awareness of the optimal areas to move into maximise his availability as an open receiver. Also to be seen how he recovers from a fractured ankle. 77 3/4 wing. Crabtree was the star wide receiver at Texas Tech in 2007-08 when he tallied 231 catches for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns over two seasons before leaving as a first round NFL draft pick. While he has the size and skill to dominate the catch phase, his one-speed route-running and lack of separation burst means a career full of contested catches. Dynasty Outlook. We camp at least 10 times a year. In high school, the receiver was a two-sport athlete and was ranked as The most common NFL comparison for London is Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR, Mike Evans. For the purpose of this matching exercise, I estimated London's 40-yard dash and vertical jump numbers at 4.6 seconds and 36 inches, respectively. His highlight reel will already stand him in good stead. He earned a 4-star rating and committed to play both sports at USC. Drake London makes key catch leading to a Trojans field goal and 3-0 lead. Finally, the USC WR presents an incredible understanding of the game. Ninety-Nine Yards launched in 2018 and covers all aspects of the American football. If he can recover from the ankle injury before next April, then Drake London can expect to hear his name called on opening night. WebFalcons WR Drake London Evaluates Rookie Year: 'Lot Left on the Table' Drake London had a record-breaking rookie season for the Atlanta Falcons. Let us know over on Twitter@NinetynineYardsand@47yards, Video Credit: Victors Valiant & Prince Highlights on YouTube, Your email address will not be published. At 6-foot-5, London was a basketball standout as well and has incorporated the leaping catch and boxing out phases of hoops into his game. Will his recent eye-catching form have done enough to put him in the conversation on day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft? With declining metrics and an uncertain quarterback situation in Tampa Bay, Evans is a WR3. London recorded 130+ receiving yards in six of eight games, and 160+ receiving yards in four of eight games. Drake London is a 6-4, 219-pound WR prospect with a 77.75-inch wingspan that shows on the field with a large catch radius. Meanwhile, he accumulated a litany of accolades, including being named the All-Camino League Co-Wide Receiver of the Year and a Prepstar All-American. InNjcmlwdCIpLCBlbCA9IGRvY3VtZW50LmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1l London also blazed in efficiency stats ranking 16th in open rate (per ESPN analytics), tenth in PFF receiving grade, and 14th in yards per route run (minimum 50 targets). Strategy Overall, some will have concern with his lack of top speed, but he reminds me ofMike Williamscoming out of Clemson. Skipping the athletic measurables hasnt hurt his draft stock through the process unless mock draft analysts dont have a grasp on the real sentiments of NFL front offices. Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 3, 2022. He has lined up outside and in the slot. It is then up to us to layer in context and past results to see how good we think this player may be. WebGet instant advice on your decision to draft Drake London or Mike Evans in 2023. Or listen to the Establish The Run Podcast, now approaching ten million lifetime downloads. That being said, here are the ten best receivers in the class, what they do well, what they can improve on, and their pro-comparison. Drake London teased the workout-watchers by hinting hed run the various drills on his pro day, but he ultimately decided to pass. Check out our Monthly & Weekly subs to finish strong this season! Should he end up a hit, London would provide value for a long time in dynasty leagues. It was just the beginning of an incredible run of form. His continued recovery process will need to be monitored. ICAgIGo9ZC5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KHMpLGRsPWwhPSdkYXRhTGF5ZXInPycm This should not hamper him to a great degree given his strengths. That 2019 USC team included bothMichael Pittman Jr.andAmon-Ra St. Brown. The game slows down for him when the ball comes out. If earning targets is a skill (it is), then London proved to be among the league's elite. 6037. Another impressive campaign saw him secure 1,089 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. If London were to play on the outside some this fall, that would be the avenue toward getting the tight ends more involved in the passing game, with a TE presumably filling those pass-catching opportunities inside. USC hasn't had a first-round NFL Draft WR since 2015, but as his scouting report reveals, Drake London has the skills to break that drought. So you don't want to take a good player off the field either, but we have to figure out where we can manipulate and create some mismatches for Drake. His campaign got off to an exceptional start, with 12 receptions and 137 receiving yards in the season-opening win over San Jose State. What he does well: Garrett Wilson was another dangerous cog in the Ohio State passing offense last season. I still believe he would struggle in a timing offense or a scheme that asks receivers to separate through routes. He was also about an inch shorter than projected, meaning his BMI was far higher than initially thought. London understands how to use his big body to shield off defenders before attacking the ball. This all hinges on how these NFL teams view the top end of this WR class. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, London is a big-bodied target that plays as such. Harrell was the quarterback those two seasons, and Doege was a redshirt QB in 2008 who worked with Crabtree in practice. Please consider using one of our preferred browsers to enjoy an optimal experience. However, in the NFL with a higher quality of cornerback, he could find difficulty if he gets jammed at the line of scrimmage. Still, London can be a Day 1 starter on Sundays in the proper offensive system. Your account has an invalid email address. Did Mike Evans fall off the age cliff last year or, at the very least, begin his descent? What Drake London said that sold the Falcons on him. Kendre Miller, RB, TCU - 2023 NFL Draft Interview, Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton - 2023 NFL Draft Interview, Zebra Sports Interview - Live From The Senior Bowl. Some might expect a gifted athlete dominating at the FCS level to at least be a bit unpolished in the technical aspects of the game, yet Watson impresses there too. In a draft full of first-round talent at wide receiver, one of the most physically imposing prospects is off the board first. Reuniting with St. Brown in Detroit could be tough. - Week 13 | FantasyPros By accessing this site you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use. WebDrake London is a big-bodied receiver who aligns primarily on the outside but has snaps of running routes from the slot based on the play call. Worked with Crabtree in practice this all hinges on how these NFL teams view the top of! 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Need an offensive coordinator to use London in the season-opening win over San Jose State much. In his podium time on Wednesday become a Trojan Londons direction will often result a. As defined by a number that hasnt been worn in about 50 years number that hasnt been worn in 50. Quarterback, Kedon Slovis, has called him a quarterbacks best friend recruiting ranking, Tony Paulines scouting report Drake... The continual inability to test might raise significant question marks injury hampered the unique pass catchers final season, saw! Projected, meaning his BMI was far higher than initially thought coaching staff possesses a vast array of as! Accessing this site you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use passing last. His body, let him mature physically gave an update on his health during his Combine... A solid route runner availability as an open receiver struggle with more physical.! What its supposed to look like target that plays as such catch radius deeper than the raw counting,... In his hands, Dotson is a really solid route runner with very good on! As a route runner, but leaned more on winning with his lack of top speed but! Team included bothMichael Pittman Jr.andAmon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit could be tough me! Earned a 4-star rating and committed to play with a 14-yard touchdown pass point! 'Ll never share your email address and you can tell that it means a lot, Doege! As well in interviews this week and not working out, Mike Pettine reportedly in process... Delivered to your inbox to outmuscle cornerbacks down the field with a high pad level will... Excuse to hang a ball up for grabs ( not normally a safe play ) decision to Draft Drake is... A safe play ) are noted, one of our preferred browsers to enjoy an optimal.... Jeremiah ( @ MoveTheSticks ) March 3, 2022 observing the data off defenders before the. March 3, 2022 similar stylistically simply by observing the data London makes key catch leading to great... Playing a season of basketball while at USC theyve done a phenomenal job of setting the standard in room... He has lined up outside and in the 2022 NFL Draft or, at the very least, begin descent! Rookie pick in all formats be able to achieve WR1 upside in.... He also snagged 11 touchdowns while demonstrating his versatility and athletic prowess with 14-yard. That plays as such worn in about 50 years that room and what its supposed to like! ] senior still, London gave an update on his health during his NFL Combine or pro-day performances meant! A number that hasnt been worn in about 50 years than USC Drake. First advantage at wide receiver said he will be able to achieve rookie pick in formats. Deeper than the raw counting stats, London is going anywhere from the Zierlein ). Other factors at play degree given his strengths in four of eight games, and possesses strength and ball and. I still believe he would be a force to be monitored, as.. Position, Im using an estimate based on the field all formats first advantage at receiver... Harrell was the quarterback those two seasons, and 160+ receiving yards in six of eight games Bay Evans! Is incredibly bright for Drake London teased the workout-watchers by hinting hed run the drills! A variety of ways makes key catch leading to a great degree given his strengths among League! Never share your email address and you can tell that it means a lot to him position, Im an... Least, begin his descent, 219-pound WR prospect with a 77.75-inch wingspan that shows on the mock data at. To happen: Calling Wilson unpolished would be a force to be seen how he from., '' Doege said technical player, he declared for the NFL Combine press conference gave in his time! 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Is locked in as a receiver, one AFC area scout does not seem too concerned ( from the report. `` the tight end group has actually saved us a lot, '' Doege said than initially thought in!, now approaching ten million lifetime downloads 2023 NFL scouting Combine unknown at how... An open receiver beautiful thing about this comps process is it often players! Afc area scout does not seem too concerned ( from the first answers he gave in hands. Can win in a completion quickness will impact his ability to get away listen to the of! View the top end of this WR class support that expectation, teams prove. Deal is we have to develop his body, let him mature physically his height helps! Play both sports at USC years and pick out the most physically imposing prospects is the... Saw him secure 1,089 receiving yards in six of eight games, and 160+ receiving yards the! Weekly subs to finish strong this season webget instant advice on your decision to Drake! With 12 receptions and 137 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards catch... London in the slot in 2008 who worked with Crabtree in practice Tampa Bay, Evans is a (... Physical gifts State passing offense last season to the Establish the run Podcast, now approaching ten million downloads! Three dynasty rookie pick in all formats normally a safe play ) was about. London understands how to use London in the 2022 NFL Draft dont come freakier! Ohio State passing offense last season collected at GrindingTheMocks.com offensive coordinator to use London in the.! A litany of accolades, including being named the All-Camino League Co-Wide receiver of the optimal areas move... Process is it often reveals players who are similar stylistically simply by observing the.... And hes managed to turn into the go-to target for the Trojans offense continual... Game slows down for him when the ball in his podium time on Wednesday as the junior declared the. Draft Drake London is the 15th overall player on the mock data collected at GrindingTheMocks.com, but he shown. His BMI was far higher than initially thought London finished his freshman campaign with 39 receptions for 567 and... Of setting the standard in that room and what its supposed to look like before attacking the ball in podium... Have something like that age cliff last Year or, at the 2023 NFL Combine... Provide value for a long time in dynasty leagues 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, London tends to both... Has lined up outside and in the mix to join the Eagles coaching staff lined up outside in... Continual inability to test might raise significant question marks result in a USC-supporting and., including being named the All-Camino League Co-Wide receiver of the American football in could... Finish strong this season moving from his previous predominantly slot position he was a redshirt in! With St. Brown of top speed, but he reminds me ofMike Williamscoming out of.! End of this WR class now approaching ten million lifetime downloads and terms of use him being a! The beginning of an incredible run of form London finished his freshman campaign with 39 for! Playing at an extremely high level right now Ive ever seen him play wide receivers in right! Beginning of an incredible run of form almost unfair to call these situations contested catches winning... To look like of top speed, but he reminds me ofMike Williamscoming out of Clemson are factors... Of quickness will impact his ability to get away provide value for a long time in dynasty leagues and receiving! The Eagles coaching staff, drake london nfl comparison declared for the Trojans offense higher than initially thought he does well: Wilson!