Drake London is one of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects in the 2022 draft, and the Detroit Lions sent someone to his personal Pro Day.
Even after signing DJ Chark and re-signing Josh Reynolds, it’s fair to say the Detroit Lions will look to add a wide receiver in the draft if there’s a good opportunity. USC wide receiver Drake London was unable to do everything at the NFL Combine, as he continued to recover from a broken ankle that ended his 2021 campaign early.
After a hamstring injury forced a 10-day postponement, London had his personal Pro Day on the USC campus Friday. Plenty of teams attended. Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times noted the presence of the Lions, and specifically senior personnel executive John Dorsey.
Lots of NFL teams represented at Drake London’s individual Pro Day. An especially intriguing one: The Detroit Lions, who pick second overall.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) April 15, 2022
Senior personnel executive John Dorsey is out here watching London himself.
London did not run a 40-yard dash on Friday. But he did other drills, and looked pretty good by all accounts.
Drake London looks pretty damn smooth after breaking his ankle a few months ago.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 15, 2022
pic.twitter.com/ob249XFwF7
I’m told, #USC WR Drake London will not be running a 40 at his pro day workout today. Here are his official measurements:
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 15, 2022
• Hands: 9 3/8
• Arm: 33 7/8
• Wing: 79 5/8
• Height: 6’3 7/8
• Weight: 213 lbs
Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh has been training with London in recent months. Per Kartje, he predicted London would have posted a 40 between 4.4 and 4.53 seconds if he had run.
“You don’t see guys with his size move the way that he moves,” Houshmandzadeh said. “He moves like a little guy, but he’s a big guy. That’s rare.”
London also updated his recovery.
"I just want to let them know, whoever picks me is getting a playmaker."
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 15, 2022
WR @DrakeLondon_ gives an update on his health and recovery process after his Pro Day workout.
@USC_FB @Kay_Breezy22 pic.twitter.com/n91ZEcUY5E
London was a contested catch beast in his final season at USC (an FBS-high 19 contested catches in just eight games, according to Pro Football Focus). Detractors would say that’s a product of not being able to separate, and that will only get worse at the next level. But to say that is to miss how smooth he moves for a guy his size, which Houshmanzadeh noted and shows up on tape.
London is of course a former college teammate of Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who seemed to call for an NFL reunion right after the 2021 season ended.
At the NFL Combine, London talked about his relationship with St. Brown (h/t to SI.com).
“Definitely a big brother right there. I was blessed enough to get in a room with him when I was younger and be there with him for two years. So he’s definitely been in my ear, helping me through this process.,” London said. “I watched a lot of his games. For him to come up on the scene at the end was definitely something that he had to prove himself, and I’m happy he did.”
London is projected to go off the board before the Lions go on the clock for the second time in the first round at pick 32. But maybe they consider trading up to get him if he falls out of the top-15 or so?