2022 Rookie Class: An Early Look at Drake London, WR USC
Drake London burst into the national spotlight during his freshman season, scoring a receiving touchdown in each of the final five games of USC’s season. His hulking size standing at 6’5 made him a match-up nightmare in high school and college that is unique in the college game.
He is a unique fantasy asset for the NFL with the size and ability of an alpha receiver, but fear that he isn’t a great separator. Fracturing his ankle against Arizona this season also complicates a complex NFL and fantasy prospect who will be very boom or bust.
As A Recruit
London was a four-star recruit coming out of Moorpark High School, located in Moorpark, CA. According to 247 Sports Composite rankings, London was the 247th player in the 2019 class and the 35th-best wide receiver in the country.
Courtesy of 247 Sports.
London was a two-sport star playing both basketball and football in high school. As a senior, he put up 1,089 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 62 receptions. At 6’5 and 210 pounds, London was a problem for high school defenses. Often matching up with corners much shorter than him, jump-balls were his specialty, and he often was able to outrun those defensive backs as well. London flashed unique athletic skills at his size. He was even a three-star basketball recruit and easily could have gone that direction for his future. When USC promised to allow him to play football and basketball, it was a match made in heaven.
Collegiate Career
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
London played both football and basketball as a true freshman in 2019, not being particularly effective in either. Stuck behind current NFL players Michael Pittman and Amon-Ra St. Brown, London was fourth on the team with 39 receptions for 567 yards. He earned a larger role late in the season though and began rotating into an outside role. In his final five games, he scored a touchdown in each one and had two games over 100 yards receiving. With Pittman going to the NFL, London slid right into that role as a sophomore.
In the shortened six-game season, London led the team in receiving yards ahead of St. Brown with 502. He established himself as a downfield threat for quarterback Kedon Slovis and even showed some ability to be dangerous after the catch. The NFL size and ability were there, but having never been a true number one in a passing offense, questions remained.
The start of London’s junior season was absolutely dynamic. He caught 39 passes in four games and was absolutely dominating contested catches. Much of the USC offensive game plan seemed to be “chuck it out and let London come down with it”. There was little that could stop him racking up 88 catches in only eight games. Unfortunately, a fractured ankle cut his season and college career short.
Athletic Profile
Measurements courtesy of ESPN.
London may not be able to work out at the Scouting Combine due to his ankle, but he is a plus athlete for his size. With good agility thresholds already coming out of high school, there is little doubt London has improved his agility and speed in college. His vertical has been on display often in college and shows up on the field.
Strengths
- Excellent contested catcher
- Long arms with high-end catch radius
- Great awareness while the ball is in the air
- Explosive off the line
- Route running is above average
- Beats press coverage consistently
- Hard to tackle in open space
- Good blocker
Weaknesses
- Timed speed may underwhelm
- Doesn’t get a ton of separation
- Needs to pass medical checks
- Motor can run cold at times
- May only fit some systems
Draft Value
Courtesy of NFLMockDraftDatabase.com.
London’s value peaked and valleyed with his 2021 season and injury. He is settling in as a late first-round pick which makes sense. If London is able to workout and passes the medical checks, he could move into the middle of the first round. With the defensive prowess of the 2022 class though, London could fall to the early second round and end up a steal for a team.
Dynasty Outlook
Receivers with London’s size profile are typically boom or bust. The fantasy community often becomes infatuated with big contested catchers who often fail to meet expectations. Players like N’Keal Harry, Hakeem Butler, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and more have never been able to get open in the NFL. London has shown more in college than those players and should have higher draft capital.
If London did not suffer his ankle fracture and continued on the path to one of the best receiving seasons ever, his draft capital may have fallen in the 8-12 range. That would put his skillset and capital in the range of Mike Evans who is a ceiling comparison. Being a large receiver with a big catch radius but enough agility to find holes in the defense has been Evans’s calling card for a long time. Add in red zone ability, and that is the make-up of a WR1 in fantasy. London has that type of potential.
Situation and quarterback play will have a major impact on London’s fantasy outlook, but he is a high ceiling player who is worth investing in long-term for fantasy.
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