Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2022 NFL draft.
With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, I take a look at USC wide receiver Drake London.
Drake London | USC | #15 | Junior | Moorpark, CA | 6’5” | 210
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: N/A
Broad Jump: N/A
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Career: 2021 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Team MVP. Former basketball player who committed to play both sports at USC before focusing on football ahead of his junior season. Amassed 160 catches, 2,153 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in 22 games for the Trojans.
Red Flags: None
Strengths: Tough, towering receiver that sees the entire stadium over the head of his opponent. Experience on the outside and as a big man slot target. High-volume target adept in running an enhanced route tree at numerous levels. Basketball background is evident in how he torques his lower body and sinks his hips to mimic crossovers in his breaks. Keen timing on his cutback to parallel the corner’s hip turn. Quarterbacks can throw it in his general orbit on back-shoulder opportunities and he will reel it in. Uses his frame to his full advantage to box out defenders at the catch point. Strong clamp to secure the ball through contact. Most of his passes are caught extended and away from his body with good use of his length to eliminate chances for the defensive back to swipe through his hands and dislodge the ball. Unwavering concentration, boosted leaping ability, and tight body control increase his favor in contested situations. Anticipates the field and formulates a plan of attack before the ball arrives. Exhaustive to bring down solo, sometimes requiring a team effort by the defense. Elusive after the catch with a violent spin move, abrupt stiff arm, and deceptive lateral quickness to break tackles. Meets downhill defenders with a lowered shoulder and physical ram.
Weaknesses: Upright stance with little bend in the waist to generate explosion on his get-off. Inconsistent blocker that does not engage with his lower body – reachy and tries to build forward momentum to maul the defender. Slower to eat up cushions in off-man. Press tactics aside from shoving the defensive back off him are seldom showcased.
Final Word: A physically imposing vertical threat that vacuums up the majority of the looks he commands, Drake London gave Pac-12 defensive backs fits in the eight games he played in 2021 as they searched for an answer to counter his size. London compares to a leaner Mike Evans with better tools and awareness after the catch. Although he will rarely create large gaps of separation for himself, London’s quickness, catch point supremacy, and competitive ambition will thrive in an offense eager to target to him often, especially in the red zone.
Fit Likelihood: High
Grade: 1st
Film Highlights:
London putting the Colorado secondary in a bodybag on multiple occasions.
These Drake London posters all happened on the same drive 💀 pic.twitter.com/CGwUbThiEp
— Cole Topham (@HamAnalysis) March 3, 2022
London’s back-shoulder fade prowess and ball tracking on display as he closes off the catch point.
Drake London
6’5 210LB Junior
Just one play but so much to like about this kid. He’s a giant target thats extremely physical. Some of the best ball tracking skills and high pointing in the draft.
Top 3 WR #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/VaVGF7pFml
— 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶 (@NickSarnelli) January 6, 2022
London showcasing his creativity after the catch and uncanny athleticism for his size.
USC WR Drake London with the Hurdle.
Each week he keeps showing why he’s WR1
Such athleticism for his size 👀
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) October 10, 2021
