The 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with top-end receiver talent. Drake London of USC is one of the more fascinating names in the group.
There are a litany of receivers who will be taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Don’t forget about Drake London in that group.
London, who starred for three seasons at the University of Southern California before declaring for the draft this year, had his pro day on Friday. While the star wideout didn’t run the 40-yard dash as he’s still recovering from the ankle injury that cut his junior campaign short, the rest of the metrics check out.
Only 20 years old, London is one of the youngest players in this draft. Additionally, he dominated the Pac-12 last year before his fractured ankle, amassing 88 receptions for 1.084 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games. He was also named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.
At 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds, the size is also a checked box. London shows an ability to snatch the ball while being physical, and then the additional dimension to run away from corners and safeties. And although his injury was ill-timed and raises questions among NFL scouts, it’s hard to ignore an elite talent, even in a draft well-stocked at his position.
After Friday’s pro day, London talked about what made him special during his collegiate days with the Trojans, per ESPN:
“Everybody knew where the ball was going. I had triple coverage, double coverage all game, and it still didn’t stop me. So whatever they say about that, I could care less.”
Ultimately, London is a good bet to land in the top-20 picks. With the quarterback class not being seen as strong, there should be a litany of teams trying to grab a weapon instead of a signal-caller. A few teams that make sense include the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens, among others.
Should London fall outside the top-20, expect a ton of interest from contenders such as the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, both needing receiver help after trading away Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, respectively.
With less than two weeks until the 2022 NFL Draft, London doesn’t have long to find out where his professional home will be. Provided his ankle heals up, that team will be fortunate to have him.
