Drake London, WR, Southern California, 6-4.5, 210, 4.50, JR … Third-year junior was arguably the best player in all of college football this past season before missing the final four games because of a fractured ankle. In those 8 games, London had 88 receptions, which still ranked 15th in the country, for over 1,000 yards and 7 scores; he was also named the Pac-12 offensive player of the year and an All-American despite only playing 2/3 of the season. London is a tall receiver who was also a basketball star in high school – he averaged almost 30 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior – and actually played briefly with the USC hoops squad as a freshman. Big target with long arms and an uncommon catch radius; also has strong hands with the ability to pluck the ball out of the air in contested situations, although he will drop a few due to concentration lapses. Can get deep on occasion, but lacks sprinter speed and explosion with a projected 40-time somewhere in the 4.50 range. Indeed, only averaged 12.3 yards per catch last fall with a long a long gain of 44 yards. Elite underneath receiver who is an exceptionally quick and nimble on his feet for someone that size. He runs good routes and can separate at the top of the route; also a smart player who can find the soft spots against zones. He is also a surprisingly good runner after the catch who does not go down easily; also a very competitive blocker. Bottom line: Excellent receiver with an uncommon size, speed, athleticism combination has the potential to be a real match-up problem at the next level. However, how high he goes will depend on how well he tests at the combine, as well as the prognosis for the ankle injury.
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama, 6-1, 190, 4.35, JR … Third-year junior with big-play potential originally signed at Ohio State, but transferred to Alabama after being pretty much buried in the deep Buckeyes’ WR-room for two years. Had a breakout year in 2021 when had 79 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 15 TDs. Also averaged 19.9 yards per catch and led the country with 4 receptions over 70 yards and 11 over 30 yards. He’s a former high school track star who holds the state record for the 300-meter hurdles in Missouri; has a lightning quick first step and that extra gear when the ball is in the air. Also very quick and nimble on his feet with a burst out of cuts and the ability to generate separation with double moves. Also has excellent hands, although he will let balls get into his pads on occasion. However, he’s not all that big or physical and can struggle at times to get off tight press coverage. He’s also not going to make a lot of catches in traffic over middle which limits his route tree. He’s also not much of a blocker. The big issue for Williams, though, is he tore an ACL early in the Tide’s loss to Georgia in that national championship game. The injury reportedly wasn’t all that bad as these things go, but it means he won’t be able to participate in any pre-draft testing and its only 50-50 whether he’ll be available for the start of the season. Bottom line: If healthy, Williams is an explosive big-play target with top 5-10 potential; how close to that he gets, though, will be determined by how well he checks out at the combine medicals.
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State, 6-0, 192, 4.45, JR … Third-year junior was an integral part of the Buckeyes’ trio of 1,000-yard receivers. Was originally a big-time recruit from Texas who was also an outstanding prep basketball player who averaged 21 PPG as a senior and received several scholarship offers from D1 programs. Primarily a slot receiver who had 70 receptions for 1,100 yards and 12 TDs this season. Wilson has decent enough speed, but is really quick and athletic with outstanding lateral agility. At his best with the ball in his hands after the catch and is especially dangerous on bubble screens, reverses and crossing routes. He has a quick first step and is an instinctive runner. Not the most polished route-runner, but wins at the top of his route with his quickness and agility; also has good hands. Can get deep on occasion, but is not likely to be a major factor in the vertical game. Also not that big or physical and can be jammed at the line of scrimmage, but is comfortable in traffic. Bottom line: Skilled possession receiver who is particularly effective after the catch has top 20 potential, but may be limited because he’ll likely never be a big factor in any vertical attack.
