Who are the upside comps? Keyshawn?? Garçon? Jeffries?
How far along is he in his recovery from ankle injury/surgery? We signed a guy, Josh Morgan, who never was fully the same after his injury
I can see London going top 15 if he is fully back even with the pair of Ohio State receivers available. This should be a very productive draft class as far as WRs
I’m not someone that typically does player comps. I like to let each player be his own guy. If there’s an obvious one that jumps out, then I’ll make it, but I then I also get a load of people going “he’s nowhere near as good as that guy!”.
I wouldn’t compare him to Garçon, Pierre was a strong route runner and extremely physical. London is willing to be physical at the catch point, but is more elusive in his style.
Not sure about his injury, that’s one for the doctors to decide, but last I heard there was no reason to think he wouldn’t recover from it and be a top draft pick, still. I think he’ll be in the 10-25 range, much like Olave and Wilson. Excited to watch Burks to see where I think he fits.
Great point on player comps. Lazy thinking on my part. If you add Burks in you have another potential player in the same draft range. Or you have a guy who drifts down as other positions get selected
One thing for certain, WR is becoming a position where the second contracts are very high
Great value if you can find a guy who is great in year 1-3. But, some WRs are lost in year 1 or have difficulty making jump early
I don’t think it’s lazy thinking. Most people do comps. I just don’t like doing them myself because when I’ve done them in the past, all I get is backlash. When I said Hollywood Brown played like DeSean Jackson a few years ago, I had DJax fans telling me I was an idiot and nobody can match up to DJax, while Brown fans were saying “that’s a ton of pressure to put on him, comparing him to one of the best deep threats in NFL history”. If he doesn’t then live up to that comp, I get fans telling me I’m an idiot for comparing them. So I try to avoid it as a lot of fans don’t realise a comp is meant for playing style, not to say played X will become exactly the same as player Y.
Yeah, there’s been a number of strong WR drafts in recent years and having those guys on rookie deals is certainly beneficial. But I also think it makes sense to pay those guys if they’re really good. It’s an interesting point you make about wanted success early out of that position because you’re right, you always want early success at a cheap cost of a rookie deal, but WR historically has been a position that takes time to learn in the NFL game, especially with the quality of corners and particularly press coverage in the league. The last few years has certainly broken that trend though.
At 11, I would be concerned with this pick. He's not 6-5 or 6-6 and doesn't have the speed or agility to present more than a jump ball and slant threat. That's not good enough to merit first round consideration, imo.
Fair enough if that’s your opinion. I’d disagree he’s not good enough to merit being a 1st rounder. He doesn’t separate with route running the way someone like McLaurin does, but that’s not the only way a WR can win. It’s all about finding the right fit with the quarterback, which is a key point I tried to make in this post. A jump ball type of receiver needs an aggressive QB that will trust him to win and give him opportunities, rather than a conservative guy that needs to see a WR open to make the throw. There were concerns last year that Ja’Marr Chase wasn’t the best route runner, didn’t consistently separate and had a few issues getting off press coverage. But he went to Cincy to play with a QB that understood how to best use him and he had an outstanding rookie year and established himself as one of the top receivers in the league already because he wins in different ways.
What does appeal with London is the red zone threat. Even if he is double-teamed that opens an opportunity elsewhere. Now if we have London and Logan Thomas, that will give teams a real headache!
I think last year showed that you really don't need size to be a red zone threat. The top 8 most targeted players in the red zone were WRs 6'2" or shorter. They also bested or matched the catch percentage and number of touchdowns of the bigger receivers and tight ends. 6'4" receivers that can't separate don't scare NFL defenses.
I would view London entirely different if he had Ja'Marr's 4.40 speed or were bigger. He's a goldilocks to me, but not in a good way. He's not big enough to be that slow and not fast or agile enough to be that 'little'. Subjectively, I think the hit-rate on that mold is going to be too low to command first round value. Maybe you get lucky and the match-up is perfect, but on average it doesn't feel like a good play and especially not at 11.
6-4 is still plenty big enough. You’re talking like he’s 5-11 or 6-foot. He’s still above average for NFL WRs and would be Washington’s tallest receiver (taler than Cam Sims). 6-4 is a very good size for a receiver and it’s not just about size either. He’s a good receiver with excellent ball skills, great leaping ability and some wiggle after the catch too.
No, I just think that above average size comes with some drawbacks that present greater risk without +speed or +agility. We don't see many with those qualities break through to become #1 guys. And I think that's the expectation drafting a guy at 11. He can both be a good receiver and not great value in the first. If you think he'll provide starter-level production throughout his rookie contract, maybe a later first but those guys also become hard to pay at the end of the deal. If we draft him, I hope I'm wrong lol.
Fair if that’s your view. I would point to Michael Pittman Jr. who came out from the same college with very similar measurables and skill set (though I think he was a better route runner in college than London is right now). Granted, Pittman fell to the 2nd round in 2020, but he just had an excellent season (1k yards, 7 TDs) with Wentz throwing him the ball and has improved on his route running since entering the league. There’s nothing to say London couldn’t replicate that and improve as well.
He wouldn’t be my top guy to draft at 11, but I could understand what they were looking for if that’s what they end up doing.
I don’t think fans will ever shake the Josh Doctson vibes if Commanders make this pick, even if its unfair (Doctson also have a heel injury on both feet that seemed to also impact him).
I also quite like Burks and think he’s the better option to London overall.
Would you also prefer Commanders go Olave over London?
Olave has easily been my fav receiver of the trio I’ve watch so far. I’m eager to dive into watching Burks and see how he fares, but it will take a lot to top Olave for me, I just think he’s such a complete and smooth receiver with high football IQ.
Olave is my favourite too. However if Olave, Wilson and London are on the board at #11 and we get the offer to trade back a few spots to get extra draft pick/s, which meant we would have take the third choice, I would do it! There are holes on our roster and only having three picks in first 5 rounds is an issue.
What's the biggest difference between Mike Evans and Drake's game you see? Would you say the ability to separate on routes, Mike seems to always produce year in and year out against teams best CB
I can’t say I’ve studied Mike Evans enough to really give a fair evaluation in that regard. I’d say from just the few times I’ve watched Bucs games over the years that Evans is an incredibly physical receiver and will throw his weight around to bully smaller CBs. London doesn’t quite have the same bulk to him, which probably means he’s a bit faster and more elusive, but he doesn’t have the same level of physicality.
Loving this series of draft prospect articles you're doing. I'd love to get to read what you think of Kyle Hamilton at some point. Was seeing a lot in the past couple of days that he may fall out of the top 10. So if that happens, I'd be curious to see what you think of him and his potential fit here.
Was planning to watch/write up Burks today/tomorrow and then move on to LBs for the rest of the week and into next week, but perhaps I could fit in Hamilton before moving on to LBs. I’d like to see what the hype is about.
The prime objective of this season must be to make Carson Wentz successful and hence stabilized the QB position. Nothing could be more important than that. The next few years rests on that alone. The #11 pick must support that objective. Chris Olave is a route running craftsman much like Terry McLaurin, but without the YAC. Drake London would be a compliment to McLaurin rather than a duplication, especially in light of London’s contested catch skills coupled with Wentz’s history of throwing up contested catches, as with Pittman last year. The result would be a lineup of Terry McLaurin, Drake London, Logan Thomas, Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson (with Dyami Brown coming off the bench). That begins to look as potent as Dallas‘s offense last year. And it would be the most effective way to ensure Wentz is successful. For that reason Washington should run the card up to the commissioner at #11 for Drake London. IMHO
Who are the upside comps? Keyshawn?? Garçon? Jeffries?
How far along is he in his recovery from ankle injury/surgery? We signed a guy, Josh Morgan, who never was fully the same after his injury
I can see London going top 15 if he is fully back even with the pair of Ohio State receivers available. This should be a very productive draft class as far as WRs
I’m not someone that typically does player comps. I like to let each player be his own guy. If there’s an obvious one that jumps out, then I’ll make it, but I then I also get a load of people going “he’s nowhere near as good as that guy!”.
I wouldn’t compare him to Garçon, Pierre was a strong route runner and extremely physical. London is willing to be physical at the catch point, but is more elusive in his style.
Not sure about his injury, that’s one for the doctors to decide, but last I heard there was no reason to think he wouldn’t recover from it and be a top draft pick, still. I think he’ll be in the 10-25 range, much like Olave and Wilson. Excited to watch Burks to see where I think he fits.
Great point on player comps. Lazy thinking on my part. If you add Burks in you have another potential player in the same draft range. Or you have a guy who drifts down as other positions get selected
One thing for certain, WR is becoming a position where the second contracts are very high
Great value if you can find a guy who is great in year 1-3. But, some WRs are lost in year 1 or have difficulty making jump early
Your scouts better be right
I don’t think it’s lazy thinking. Most people do comps. I just don’t like doing them myself because when I’ve done them in the past, all I get is backlash. When I said Hollywood Brown played like DeSean Jackson a few years ago, I had DJax fans telling me I was an idiot and nobody can match up to DJax, while Brown fans were saying “that’s a ton of pressure to put on him, comparing him to one of the best deep threats in NFL history”. If he doesn’t then live up to that comp, I get fans telling me I’m an idiot for comparing them. So I try to avoid it as a lot of fans don’t realise a comp is meant for playing style, not to say played X will become exactly the same as player Y.
Yeah, there’s been a number of strong WR drafts in recent years and having those guys on rookie deals is certainly beneficial. But I also think it makes sense to pay those guys if they’re really good. It’s an interesting point you make about wanted success early out of that position because you’re right, you always want early success at a cheap cost of a rookie deal, but WR historically has been a position that takes time to learn in the NFL game, especially with the quality of corners and particularly press coverage in the league. The last few years has certainly broken that trend though.
At 11, I would be concerned with this pick. He's not 6-5 or 6-6 and doesn't have the speed or agility to present more than a jump ball and slant threat. That's not good enough to merit first round consideration, imo.
Fair enough if that’s your opinion. I’d disagree he’s not good enough to merit being a 1st rounder. He doesn’t separate with route running the way someone like McLaurin does, but that’s not the only way a WR can win. It’s all about finding the right fit with the quarterback, which is a key point I tried to make in this post. A jump ball type of receiver needs an aggressive QB that will trust him to win and give him opportunities, rather than a conservative guy that needs to see a WR open to make the throw. There were concerns last year that Ja’Marr Chase wasn’t the best route runner, didn’t consistently separate and had a few issues getting off press coverage. But he went to Cincy to play with a QB that understood how to best use him and he had an outstanding rookie year and established himself as one of the top receivers in the league already because he wins in different ways.
What does appeal with London is the red zone threat. Even if he is double-teamed that opens an opportunity elsewhere. Now if we have London and Logan Thomas, that will give teams a real headache!
I think last year showed that you really don't need size to be a red zone threat. The top 8 most targeted players in the red zone were WRs 6'2" or shorter. They also bested or matched the catch percentage and number of touchdowns of the bigger receivers and tight ends. 6'4" receivers that can't separate don't scare NFL defenses.
I would view London entirely different if he had Ja'Marr's 4.40 speed or were bigger. He's a goldilocks to me, but not in a good way. He's not big enough to be that slow and not fast or agile enough to be that 'little'. Subjectively, I think the hit-rate on that mold is going to be too low to command first round value. Maybe you get lucky and the match-up is perfect, but on average it doesn't feel like a good play and especially not at 11.
6-4 is still plenty big enough. You’re talking like he’s 5-11 or 6-foot. He’s still above average for NFL WRs and would be Washington’s tallest receiver (taler than Cam Sims). 6-4 is a very good size for a receiver and it’s not just about size either. He’s a good receiver with excellent ball skills, great leaping ability and some wiggle after the catch too.
No, I just think that above average size comes with some drawbacks that present greater risk without +speed or +agility. We don't see many with those qualities break through to become #1 guys. And I think that's the expectation drafting a guy at 11. He can both be a good receiver and not great value in the first. If you think he'll provide starter-level production throughout his rookie contract, maybe a later first but those guys also become hard to pay at the end of the deal. If we draft him, I hope I'm wrong lol.
Fair if that’s your view. I would point to Michael Pittman Jr. who came out from the same college with very similar measurables and skill set (though I think he was a better route runner in college than London is right now). Granted, Pittman fell to the 2nd round in 2020, but he just had an excellent season (1k yards, 7 TDs) with Wentz throwing him the ball and has improved on his route running since entering the league. There’s nothing to say London couldn’t replicate that and improve as well.
He wouldn’t be my top guy to draft at 11, but I could understand what they were looking for if that’s what they end up doing.
I don’t think fans will ever shake the Josh Doctson vibes if Commanders make this pick, even if its unfair (Doctson also have a heel injury on both feet that seemed to also impact him).
I also quite like Burks and think he’s the better option to London overall.
Would you also prefer Commanders go Olave over London?
Olave has easily been my fav receiver of the trio I’ve watch so far. I’m eager to dive into watching Burks and see how he fares, but it will take a lot to top Olave for me, I just think he’s such a complete and smooth receiver with high football IQ.
Olave is my favourite too. However if Olave, Wilson and London are on the board at #11 and we get the offer to trade back a few spots to get extra draft pick/s, which meant we would have take the third choice, I would do it! There are holes on our roster and only having three picks in first 5 rounds is an issue.
Trading back for more picks is certainly a good option for Washington.
What's the biggest difference between Mike Evans and Drake's game you see? Would you say the ability to separate on routes, Mike seems to always produce year in and year out against teams best CB
I can’t say I’ve studied Mike Evans enough to really give a fair evaluation in that regard. I’d say from just the few times I’ve watched Bucs games over the years that Evans is an incredibly physical receiver and will throw his weight around to bully smaller CBs. London doesn’t quite have the same bulk to him, which probably means he’s a bit faster and more elusive, but he doesn’t have the same level of physicality.
Understand! I kept seeing that comp go around when analysist talked about him, but I couldn't really put 2&2 together.
Loving this series of draft prospect articles you're doing. I'd love to get to read what you think of Kyle Hamilton at some point. Was seeing a lot in the past couple of days that he may fall out of the top 10. So if that happens, I'd be curious to see what you think of him and his potential fit here.
Was planning to watch/write up Burks today/tomorrow and then move on to LBs for the rest of the week and into next week, but perhaps I could fit in Hamilton before moving on to LBs. I’d like to see what the hype is about.
Fantastic, thanks for the reply!
The prime objective of this season must be to make Carson Wentz successful and hence stabilized the QB position. Nothing could be more important than that. The next few years rests on that alone. The #11 pick must support that objective. Chris Olave is a route running craftsman much like Terry McLaurin, but without the YAC. Drake London would be a compliment to McLaurin rather than a duplication, especially in light of London’s contested catch skills coupled with Wentz’s history of throwing up contested catches, as with Pittman last year. The result would be a lineup of Terry McLaurin, Drake London, Logan Thomas, Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson (with Dyami Brown coming off the bench). That begins to look as potent as Dallas‘s offense last year. And it would be the most effective way to ensure Wentz is successful. For that reason Washington should run the card up to the commissioner at #11 for Drake London. IMHO