Drake London NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for USC WR

HEIGHT: 6'3 7/8"

WEIGHT: 219

HAND: 9 3/8"

ARM: 33"

WINGSPAN: 6'5 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Excellent size and length for the WR position.

— Good body control for his size. Can sink when he has to break on his routes and can bend enough to win leverage against DBs.

— Good overall route-runner who understands how to tempo his routes to keep CBs off balance. Able to stay tight at the top of his routes, which is even more impressive given his size.

— Very good hands with excellent catching range. Is comfortable extending away from his body to haul in throws. Makes his big frame even bigger by snatching throws in traffic.

— Not overly shifty but can create yards after the catch because of balance and body strength. Smaller defenders bounce off of him.

—.Has burst with the ball in his hands that shows he’s viable on screens and underneath throws. Can get north in a hurry.

— Understands when to settle in soft spots versus zone coverages and stay friendly to the QB on his routes.

— Has the flair for the spectacular catch.

— Willing blocker who will attempt to find work down the field for his teammates.

NEGATIVES

— Large size limits his lateral quickness.

— Blocking technique can be inconsistent and disappointing given his size. Brings effort but is inconsistent with sustaining it.

2021 STATISTICS

8 G, 88 REC, 1,084 YDS (12.3 AVG), 7 TD

NOTES

— 2021 first-team All-Pac 12

— 2021 AP third-team All-American

— Also played basketball at USC

— 99th Percentile "breakout age" (18.1) according to player profiler.

— Youngest WR in the 2022 draft class. Turns 21 in late July. 

OVERALL

Drake 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. His basketball background shows up in his play with his ability to use his length and consistently extend and snatch throws away from his body.

London has more to his game than you’d initially think given his size. He is able to run a varied route tree that asks him to throttle down, which is even more impressive given his large frame. He has enough long speed to threaten defenders vertically but is able to sink and stay tight on his route breaks. His ability to tempo his routes makes him more of a valid weapon on routes than just back-shoulder throws where he overwhelms defenders with his size, which he can also do. London also shows the ability to consistently create yards after the catch because of his good burst and ability to get north with the ball in his hands on underneath throws. That makes him a valid option for routes at all three levels. He also shows spatial awareness and feel for space when working against zone coverages or on scramble drills, knowing how to settle in soft spots and stay friendly to the quarterback.

Overall, London’s size, athleticism and route-running ability project him as a valid Day 1 X WR for NFL teams with true mismatch potential every week of the season. And he has enough polish and nuance to his game to be asked to line up across the formation given the play call that only adds to his All-Pro potential.

GRADE: 8.9 (Impact Player - 1st Round)

OVERALL RANK: 5

POSITION RANK: WR1

PRO COMPARISON: Mike Evans

Written by B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice