Drake London -- both because of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the length of the 2020 season and a fractured right ankle cutting his 2021 season short -- only played 22 games during his career at USC.
But the physically imposing wide receiver left an impact for the Trojans, catching 160 passes for 2,153 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The production that London put up at USC -- coupled with elite physical traits -- prompted the Atlanta Falcons to select him with the eighth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here's everything you need to know about London:
School: USC
2021 Statistics: 88 catches, 1,084 yards, seven touchdowns, 12.3 average yards per catch
Accolades: Second-Team All-Pac 12 (2020), First-Team All-Pac 12 (2021), Pac 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2021)
Strengths: He's giant, and is someone that leans into his best attribute ... very strong hands ... if you get the ball to him in space, he can elude defenders, and will be difficult to tackle ... will win most 50/50 balls ... displays excellent ability to track the ball, whether it's thrown directly to him or he needs to come back for it ... will be the type of WR who can turn end zone fades into higher percentage plays ... if the ball isn't going to him in the red zone, he'll be an excellent decoy
Weaknesses: While he's a threat with the ball in his hands, he doesn't have the same type of straight-line speed as Garrett Wilson, Christian Watson and a healthy Jameson Williams ... physical style will lead to some nagging injuries ... will not be nearly as effective if his ability to jump diminishes as he ages -- that's true for all receivers, but especially one you are relying on to use his size to dominate smaller cornerbacks
NFL Comp: While his arms aren't quite as long, London is a physical specimen with similar height and hand size as Mike Evans coming out of Texas A&M in 2014. Peter King of NBC Sports estimates that if London had run a 40-yard dash, it likely would have been in the 4.5 neighborhood. While that can be seen as underwhelming when compared to some of the quicker receivers in the draft, Evans ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and is now a four-time Pro Bowler with over 9,000 career receiving yards. If London can have 2/3 of the career that Evans has had, he'll be a successful pick.
What experts are saying
"While he has the size and skill to dominate the catch phase, his one-speed route-running and lack of separation burst means a career full of contested catches. London's pro career would benefit from playing with a diverse receiving corps that allows play-callers to play to London's strengths." - Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
He is a downfield threat in the passing game and even if the corner is in phase, London will likely win the contested-catch situation. While he has played outside, playing this receiver as a big slot or off the ball at Z could free him to maximize his outstanding physical ability. - Drae Harris, The Draft Network
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