Drake London
WR USC 6-4 219 JR #15
GRADE: 91 OVR RANK: TBC POS RANK: TBC
ARM LENGTH: 33″ // HAND SIZE: 9 3/8″
40YD: ( %) // 10YD: ( %) // VJ: ( %) // BJ: ( %) // BP: ( %) // SS: ( %)// 3C: ( %)
Projection: Starting X WR who would translate well to a similar scheme to college immediately but with some development, could be scheme diverse. Draft projection: Top 15 ~ Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Ravens Fit: London does, at first glance “play like a Raven.” He’s tough, physical, and competitive, but I do think his most immediate impact would be in a similar Air Raid scheme to the one he played in USC. His catch-point skills and body control, to add to his play strength at both the break-point and in his release mean he is a high-potential WR in any scheme. But he does require some technical development to separate at the top of his routes and he’s best suited as an X. The Ravens are already developing a 1st Round X in Rashod Bateman and I don’t know that London gives you more than what the Ravens might already have.
Overall Fit 
4/5
Context
Played mostly at X with some slot Junior year, had previously played mostly in the slot. Plays in Air Raid scheme, caught lots of screens and outs.
Before the Catch
In his release against press coverage, he has a plan, patience, and he uses his physicality to win consistently. He has a varied package to use in his release including potent upper body whip, rip and wipe moves. His footwork is good against press, with an effective speed release and single move. When facing a jam, he shows his good hand placement and timing to go with his impressive play strength to clear his hands and get upfield. He will consistently release through the defender, using his physicality to full effect when jammed. Can be vulnerable to a quick jam and hasn’t yet learnt how to slide step to evade this vs DBs with better hand placement. He excels in his technique against soft-shoe press, closing the space effectively with foot fires, hops or short strides. Facing bail coverage, he can stem into the blind spot either directly or after a subtle pressure step and work out of this into his break. He’s solid against off/squat coverage but he could stand to attack leverage more in his stem on speed cuts to make more room for himself at the break-point.
He will use some combination of mental processing and play strength, with enough athletic ability to gain just enough separation. At the break-point he will run through any physical challenge from even the strongest DBs. He knows how to carefully take advantage of his physical strength legally to gain separation. He will also set up DBs throughout a game – has a particularly effective double move where he fakes a speed cut before releasing upfield on deep routes. He is though, somewhat tight-hipped, mainly due to his size. More savvy DBs with good lateral movement can read his intentions on more hard angle breaks and speed cuts because of an elongated/exaggerated first step as well as the number of steps/distance he takes to break. A good processor who reads coverage effectively, finding soft spots, particularly good at occupying the honey-hole.
The Catch and after the Catch
Great technique on all types of catch, stationary and moving, and especially in contested catch situations – he will catch outside of his frame with strong hands, and in high degree of difficulty situations like with little room on the sideline. You can see a rare concentration drop when he knows there is a lot of YAC to be had if he baits the defender into a bad angle.
His body positioning for the catch is outstanding, he knows how to create separation at the catch-point with his adjust to the ball and body control – the proverbial open-even-when-he-isn’t receiver. He protects the football. Prolific YAC-getter with some speed and lateral quickness but mostly play strength, including a forceful stiff-arm.
SUMMARY
Gains separation with play strength/some savvy in his breaks. Has enough athletic ability to get just enough open to bring his catch-point skills into play. Prolific YAC, destroys Press
PRODUCTION
JR: 119 Tgts, 88 Recs, 1084 Rec Yards (12.3 Ave), 7 Rec TDs
SO: 43 Tgts, 33 Recs, 502 Rec Yards (15.2 Ave), 3 Rec TDs
INJURY: Fractured Right Ankle Missed 4 Games (JR)
RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 3
Intelligence 4
Versatility 3
Grit 5
Scheme 4
