Once safely in his hands, the USC WR does a great job of securing the ball to his body. Your web browser appears to be outdated. However, if he continues to play with a high pad level at the NFL level he will leave himself open to attack in press coverage. Watch the video below which shows Drake Londons ball skills and yards after the cqtch ability. A draft class that is top-heavy with WR talent without a slam dunk WR1. NBA Products Beckham went in the top half of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. London had a fractured ankle late in the 2021 season but should be ready for the 2022 NFL season. Lacks a burst and deep speed. WebAs is the case with LSU cornerback Derek Stingley, USC wide receiver Drake London entered the season with lofty expectations, and despite an eventual season-ending injury, I have been playing fantasy football since 2006 and started producing content in 2020. The above-the-rim style London plays definitely calls to mind both Johnson and Evans. So you've got to be smart when you move him around, but as long as you feel like you have a really good player at the Y position and we feel like we can find a mismatch on the outside then let's go expose that as well.". NFL Products aWdodD0nMCcgc3JjPSdodHRwczovL3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNv He should be a WR3 with upside if Desmond Ridder can make the jump in his second season or if the Falcons add an upgrade in free agency. Drake London out of USC is one of the more intriguing WR prospects in the 2022 draft class. Former USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London continues to impress ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. London skipped the USC Pro Day but will host his own Pro Day on April 15, 2022, giving his ankle as much extra time as possible. His toughness comes out at the line of scrimmage and down the field against contested coverage. Where he can improve: London is a really solid route runner, but leaned more on winning with his physical gifts. Touchdown Wire reveals NFL player comparison for Drake London Matt Zemek April 27, 2022 5:36 am PT The NFL draft is near. Sign up for the 2 and 32. As expected, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft at the conclusion of the season. So playing in 12 allows us to move him around to the outside position more, get creative in that standpoint and he's done a really good job," Doege said. Burks has great playing speed for his size and was a danger to house the ball on every touch. Drake London is a physically imposing receiver. He earned a 4-star rating and committed to play both sports at USC. He is agile and explosive before and after the catch. 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. Which need more time? Gambling problem? Get some insights from our partners at Touchdown Wire on the NFL player who represents the best and most immediate comparison for the top 50 draft prospects on the board. Despite interest from Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and Oregon, there was only one destination for the California kid. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A prospect that continues to surge up draft boards, London has continued to be one of the lone bright spots for a program thats at one of its lowest points in history. Mar 2, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California wide receiver Drake London. Learn how your comment data is processed. We love comparing draft prospects to current players, so think of London as a Mike Evans type of receiver. cmlwdCc+PC9zY3JpcHQ+CjxkaXYgY2xhc3M9J3ZpZGVvLWNvbnRhaW5lcicg During his USC career, the impressive WR prospect has also demonstrated great ball-tracking ability. Boasting the attributes of a big-bodied pass catcher but the after-the Its understandable that London would want to ensure hes at full fitness, but the continual inability to test might raise significant question marks. Z3RtX2F1dGg9JysnS2hINmhlQ3BvV0pVSG5xVnpkRWE3dycrCiAgICAgICAg Jordan Reid now of ESPN wrote about London as a riser during the season for The Draft Network. This maintains the intrigue surrounding how London will perform in the official speed and athleticism metrics, although we may already have our answer regarding his athleticism: 2019 Drake London with the bunnies Add a dunk contest to the combine @NFL pic.twitter.com/32G3B01XSi. Nixon and ultimately Memphis transfer Tahj Washington (who has not formally joined USC yet) as options in the slot along with junior John Jackson III. Our website may not look quite right in it. L3d3dy5nb29nbGV0YWdtYW5hZ2VyLmNvbS9ndG0uanM/aWQ9JytpK2RsKycm 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. For him to come up on the scene at the end was definitely something that he had to prove himself, and Im happy he did.. Stout, wins out in a crowd, and is tough to bring down after the reception. He will need to improve his route running and route tree at the next level and can struggle against man/press coverage compared to his abilities in attacking a zone defense. The gaps between the top players are small, with very little separating the best receiver from the sixth best receiver. 77 3/4 wing. Playing with Garrett Wilson meant Olaves role was simplified, but he has shown he can win in a variety of ways. Honestly, hes probably playing the best football right now Ive ever seen him play. For all his athletic gifts, the USC WR isnt blessed with long speed. You don't currently have any notifications, Get custom advice with our Draft Assistant. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. I was blessed enough to get in a room with him when I was younger and be there with him for two years. USCs Drake London is at the top of the pile in terms of being one of the best pass-catching prospects coming out of College Football this year. He still ended up leading the nation in contested catches despite missing the end of the year, but he probably would have been near the top in uncontested catches as well. London is a target vacuuming WR2 with WR1 upside in 2023. That said, his ability to win contested catches at a high rate should negate some of those concerns. Midseason NFL rookie rankings: Sauce Gardner or Chris Olave at No. Another impressive campaign saw him secure 1,089 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Looking at WR-needy NFL teams who realistically could take a WR in the first round, we can start to speculate which team will select London along with where would be the best fit. Fast for his size, Londons top-end speed, and burst are not elite and his release off the line of scrimmage is hindered by a relatively upright pre-snap stance. On Wednesday, London gave an update on his health during his NFL Combine press conference. London understands how to use his big body to shield off defenders before attacking the ball. London has good hands and excels at tracking the football, with his jumping ability and huge catch radius allowing him to excel at high-pointing the football. Evans finished 17th in raw target volume but 37th in target share (19.7%). In high school, the receiver was a two-sport athlete and was ranked as He can be a dangerous role player, but his upside screams number one receiver. London possesses an insane ability to find gaps in coverage, allowing him to create space. he is the premier contested-catch receiver ahead of the 2022 Draft. WebDrake London or Rashaad Penny | Who Should I Start? Speed . Current mock drafts from around the industry show the first WR off the board to be either London or Ohio States speedster, Garrett Wilson. With St. Brown headed to the NFL, London had the opportunity to lead the USC WR room and establish himself as a star in the 2022 NFL Draft class. 1? Smart, knows where he is on the field, and plays like a good athlete. Theyve done a phenomenal job of setting the standard in that room and what its supposed to look like. In Weeks 13-18, he was the WR20 in fantasy, even though he failed to score a touchdown in this span. WebThe official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. Throwing the ball generally in Londons direction will often result in a completion. Has a smooth and fluid style, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and consistently comes away with the contested grab. Drake London is a physically imposing receiver. Best Ball 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. He was also about an inch shorter than projected, meaning his BMI was far higher than initially thought. Where he can improve: Olave rarely saw contested situations due to his play style and usage, so there are legitimate questions as to if he can win in traffic. 10 overall and an analyst recently came up with the perfect NFL comparison. taking advantage of mis-matches to stack the contested catch situations in his favour. I feel really good about the room and where were going, and well find two guys that can do it, for sure. Official: Eagles announce 5 coaching updates, Report: Eagles submit proposal to allow a new NFL jersey number. JyZndG1fcHJldmlldz0nKydlbnYtMScrJyZndG1fY29va2llc193aW49eCc7 The USC wide receiver said he will only be participating in interviews this week and not working out. ", McRee, the early enrollee freshman: "Probably the most intriguing guy weve seen so far in my room is Lake McRee. c3M9J3ZpZGVvLWFkLXdyYXBwZXInPgo8c2NyaXB0IGFzeW5jIHNyYz0nLy9j That 2019 USC team included bothMichael Pittman Jr.andAmon-Ra St. Brown. He is a nuanced route runner, and its impressive to see how quickly he can get in and out of breaks at his size (6-5, 210). * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). He was 11th in air yard share (35.4%), third in deep targets, and 22nd in red zone targets. In a draft full of first-round talent at wide receiver, one of the most physically imposing prospects is off the board first. He was a dominant alpha target in 2021 with both of those players off the team. A solid, if unspectacular, first two years has now been eclipsed by a transformational 2021 season (over 1000 yards, 7TDs). So hes definitely been in my ear, helping me through this process. Drake London was on course to be in the conversation for first wide receiver off the board prior to his injury. What he does well: Christian Watsons athleticism is incredibly surprising given his size. His comps are almost exclusively players who were useful fantasy assets, and some have displayed massive ceilings. We offer recommendations from over 100 fantasy football experts! Where he can improve: The better Burks get at being a pure receiver, the better. 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. Drake London, USC. 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. Up through the ankle injury, London was averaging 11.0 receptions, 135.5 receiving yards, 0.88 TDs per game, and 3.26 receiving yards per team pass attempt, the best mark of his college career. With Pittman gone in 2020, London out-produced St. Brown from a yardage perspective, but only managed to find the end zone three times. Factor in two return touchdowns and Williams is a big play waiting to happen. For a big receiver, he could be so much more physical at the catch point and could generally improve his ball skills. Draft Team Atlanta Falcons. While some athleticism concerns are noted, one AFC area scout does not seem too concerned (from the Zierlein report). WebAll Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Drake London "We want to be 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. In high school, the receiver was a two-sport athlete and was ranked as He plays with an edge as a blocker, as well. The beautiful thing about this comps process is it often reveals players who are similar stylistically simply by observing the data. Despite missing four games, London ended the season with 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. The theme of contested catch ability was also noted by Lance Zierlein. His efficiency metrics are the real tale of the tape, as he was 33rd in yards per route run, 35th in route win rate, and 47th in open rate (per ESPN analytics). 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. 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. As a senior at Moorpark High School in the western suburbs of Los Angeles, London racked up 1,089 yards on 62 catches with 12 touchdowns on the gridiron, and WebDrake London played football and basketball at Moorpark high school in Moorpark, CA. He is physical, a technically sound route runner, and possesses strength and ball skills to outmuscle cornerbacks down the field. Looking for high-quality fantasy and betting content? NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. It is then up to us to layer in context and past results to see how good we think this player may be. With the body control to be able to adjust and reel in balls you might consider uncatchable, London is in possession of almost all of the tools that you require to be successful at the NFL level. "Obviously, he's a freak and we want to move him around as much as possible. The Philly head coach is excited for the stability on offense with promoting Brian Johnson and keeping the rest of the staff. It will, however, need an offensive coordinator to use London in the right way. IHRoZSBldmVyZ3JlZW4gdmVyc2lvbiBvZiBjcy5qcyBzbyB3ZSBhbHdheXMg Something went wrong. It is also worth noting that he will not turn 21 until the summer, making London one of the youngest prospects in the entire draft. One player right at the very top of that class is USCs London. While it does not seem that London is the type of player that is going to blow anyone away athletically, he has tremendous size and length. London has quick feet enabling excellent lateral agility, making cuts with ease and often leaving defenders clutching at air. NEXT ON OUR SCOUTING REPORTS IS DRAKE LONDON. 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. I love everything about football, especially analytics and data analysis, and Im a sucker for a good spreadsheet. He didnt test at the NFL Combine or the USC Pro Day. Drake London is one every draft analyst has near the top of the board, with the former Trojan expected to be take early on night one in late April. Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of Londons traits is his afore-mentioned leap. Maybe he can run a faster time, but his decision to pass on running, despite being well enough to perform receiving drills, indicates his time would likely have been on the slower side of expectations. "They weren't burners. He is out for the rest of the season. He might not have number one receiver upside, but he can be a dangerous player in the right situation. His height at 65, and therefore reach, make him a excellent target for the quarterback. Im taking the best number from either the prospects' NFL Scouting Combine or pro-day performances. cyd9KTt2YXIgZj1kLmdldEVsZW1lbnRzQnlUYWdOYW1lKHMpWzBdLAogICAg His has blinding speed from the jump and can somehow hit a second gear to gain late separation against coverage and run away from defenses. Plays with balance as well as body control, possesses outstanding eye/hand coordination, and makes the reception in stride. So you can tell that it means a lot to him. London looked poised for a monster season at USC in 2021, but a fractured ankle against Arizona ended his season on October 30. London is not known to possess burner speed (well see what his 40-time is). This is an extremely successful set of comparable players. We can do everything we want to do out of 10 personnel with 12. Londons pro career would benefit from playing with a diverse receiving corps that allows play-callers to play to Londons strengths. Wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft dont come much freakier than USC WR Drake London. Drake London, USC. Hes really made a huge step up. What he does well: Chris Olave was a prolific deep threat at Ohio State due to his easy acceleration, game breaking second gear and tremendous ball skills. However, most of his advanced metrics are solid indicators of success at the next level, including the youngest BOA in this class (stats courtesy of Playerprofiler.com): Still rehabbing from his October ankle injury, London was unable to participate in many of the NFL Combine events. "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. While his height undoubtedly helps in this regard, there are other factors at play. Strategy Those performances earned him third-team Cal-Hi Sports All-State Juniors honors, in addition to being named to the All-CIF Division 5 team. He has great I found the closest statistically comparable players by the Euclidean distance between the players' principle components, listed in the top 10 below. aGF2ZSB0aGUgbGFzdCB2ZXJzaW9uCiAgICBzLnNyYyA9ICJodHRwczovL3Mu ZG9uLXBsdXMtbW9yZS1vcHBvcnR1bml0eS1hdC10ZSIKICB9KTsKICAoZnVu Howie Roseman acknowledges Jalen Hurts deserves a tremendous contract, Mike Pettine reportedly in the mix to join the Eagles coaching staff. 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. DOB 2001-07-24 ( 21.5) Height 6' 4". 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. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and high-points the ball over defenders. X2Nvb2tpZXNfd2luPXgnIHN0eWxlPSdkaXNwbGF5Om5vbmU7dmlzaWJpbGl0 Weight 213. Ultimately, though, once the season comes around will the Trojans really consider moving London out of the inside receiver role that he dominated last season with 33 catches for 502 yards and 3 TDs over six games? Were getting ahead of ourselves a little. While London has an impressive scouting report and should be considered one of the top pass catchers in the 2022 NFL Draft, there are still some areas for concern with regard to his NFL projection. So you just gotta give him some grace. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Definitely a big brother right there, London said of St. Brown. We feel really good about EK. A large chunk of his game involves making contested catches and winning at the catch point. In early September, he secured his first receptions, taking 3 catches for 62 yards against Stanford. Giving a quarterback every excuse to hang a ball up for grabs (not normally a safe play). London is going anywhere from the first to third overall WR taken in mock drafts. Drake London or George Pickens. Draft Year 2022. Unless something goes very wrong at Londons self-hosted Pro Day, he will be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. It really can come down to fit and preference. Even if it is marginal, the stats say Ridders first four games were more productive. WebGet instant advice on your decision to draft Drake London or Mike Evans in 2023. Please consider using one of our preferred browsers to enjoy an optimal experience. "We can play 12 personnel and do everything we want to do. I use Principal Component Analysis to evaluate WR prospects. Any time there is a 64 receiver with sub-4.5 speed, he deserves a lot of attention. Should he end up a hit, London would provide value for a long time in dynasty leagues. cG9XSlVIbnFWemRFYTd3JmFtcDtndG1fcHJldmlldz1lbnYtMSZhbXA7Z3Rt Dane Brugler has London coming off the board in the 20s in his mock draft. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/PA/IL), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN only), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA only), 1-800-522-4700 (CO Only), TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 or 1-888-532-3500 (VA only). Still, London can be a Day 1 starter on Sundays in the proper offensive system. Should any lingering concerns remain, he may become another great value day 2 wide receiver from USC following in the footsteps of Michael Pittman, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Robert Woods.

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