Drake London is a unique blend of physicality, toughness, technique and size that adds up to one hell of a skill set. You have point guards like DeVonta Smith, Stefon Diggs, those types. London is a power forward that can stretch the floor.
Weight isn't the biggest issue as he's close to 220. Could definitely stand to gain some strength though, I'm sure he'll fill out some. Naturally with time if nothing else but he could definitely add just a little mass to his frame but getting stronger is key, size is there. Otherwise proportioned body that should look semi-a lot different in 2-3 years.
Big time blocker that takes his task seriously. Lead blocker on outside runs, stretch stuff or anything in the flat. Good stalk blocker. He's all arms and legs and needs to get stronger so he'll lose position at times and get overextended / front loaded but you can clean up some stuff like that. He blocked DE's, DB's and handled himself very well near the trenches, like he belongs. He'll come across formation as a lead blocker. Understands his assignments whether it's which angle or shoulder to attack. Block to block, most dangerous man, force player. Does a good job of coming up from hips and feet to gain leverage and gain inside hands.
Impressed with his movements. Loose body with plus contact balance. He's able to spin, bounce & ricochet off defenders and keeps his wits about him. Able to give / take a hit and keep in ticking. Could improve on getting just a little bigger on short routes and his awareness downfield/sidelines. Always trying to gain yards. He doesn't have long speed in that he'll run away from you in a race. That said he absolutely can get open, gain separation and gash the defense for chunks. Not a burner but he's got more than enough speed for who/type (combo of Mike Williams - high point/strong hands, Brandon Marshall - movements, Marques Colston - big slot) he is. He has really nice stop start ability. Tough to bring down. Physical. His basketball background really shows up in his body control. Ability to box out, spacing, timing/ability to high point. First in contested catches and missed tackles over the last few years I believe. If he's not first he's second, top three worst. Believe he's had 49 missed tackles since 2019. Second highest graded against press by PFF (Wan'Dale #1) and second highest against zone (Skyy #1) I know it's PFF just throwing it out there. Agile in tight spaces and able to stop/start with relative ease and at 220. Smart player that uses varied tempo and suddenness to win in short areas. Patient, strikes & uses his long strides and physicality to gain YAC.
If you watch him run slants you've seen a sharper plant foot on his cuts and more acceleration coming out. Crisper footwork, tight controlled body movements not impeding any speed. He's improved that route imo. He's money on crossers, curls, fade/back shoulder & screens. Ton of yards behind the los, knows how to get open and win. He can win on deep crossers & go off PA. Killer in the MOF up the seam / option routes. He would fit right in here running Gronk & Jules old routes in the MOF.
Has a bag of tricks to get off the los depending on the coverage & call/route. He uses a quick stutter / hesi with swats and swipes. Really likes to use a swim move with different variations at the los & top of his route. Clean efficient footwork good weight distribution and transfer off the line. Physical throughout his stem and top of the route on fades, go, curls. Nice mix up little more finesse on post, in breaking stuff. Knows how to use leverage against a DB and get himself open.
Good tracking ability but could improve there some.
Strong hands, shows late hands when making a rec.
Handle a himself like a pro. Seems like someone you can depend on and not worry about away from the field.
Plus catch radius 33" arms can reach over you or scoop on off the dirt.
Loose hips for 6'4 he can really sink into them and get low. Efficient steps coming out of his breaks. Compare to Garrett Wilson who uses too many.
London might not be for everyone. Narratives and groupthink run wild This of year and every single year things play differently irl. Opinions are formed and usually stay the same for a long time.
It's amazing what happens when you actually watch film and I include myself in that as well. It happens to everyone. You watch them on TV, a few games of A22, some highlights online and come up with an informed position. When it comes time to grade and I'm looking at every play a few times. Looking at someone's upper & lower half. Seeing the plays that could've happened had his QB seen him earlier or had a big enough arm. Seeing him do 1,2 and 3 right but needing to improve on a small detail here and there. Things look a lot different. If London can improve his strength and foot quickness (already seem some improvements) he's going to be a terror. He's an acrobat in the air and dominates 50/50 balls. Can make the first and second guy miss or drag one a few yards. He can separate a lot better than folks give him credit for and he's a good r/r. He's not a true burner or field stretcher but he can work all three levels and his size / ability to high point are an equalizer. He's only 20, won't be 21 until July so he's a baby that's just getting started. If he would have played a full season he would have been a Heisman canadate.
