3 WRs the Detroit Lions need to consider drafting in the first round

The Detroit Lions need to consider drafting Drake London.

USC’s top pass-catcher, Drake London, is the prototypical NFL number one receiver and someone the Detroit Lions need to consider drafting with the second of their two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

London recently declared for the NFL Draft.

"“I cannot wait to get started on the next chapter of my life,” London wrote on Twitter. “I will forever be a Trojan and cannot wait to represent the best brotherhood in the NFL.”"

London is an astounding talent that stands 6-foot-5 and a lean 210-pounds.  Despite appearing in just eight games for the Trojans in 2021, London still amassed 1,084 receiving yards totaling seven touchdowns.

The big-play receiver was limited to eight games this season after, unfortunately, suffering a season-ending broken ankle that occurred on October 31st.  Even though he failed to finish the season, London was still recently awarded the Pac-12′s offensive player of the year for his impressive season.

Over three years and 22 games with the Trojans, London totaled 2,153 yards, 15 touchdowns while averaging 13.5 yards per catch.

The big-time receiver is an ultra-athletic two-sport athlete.  London played basketball at USC in 2020 in addition to football.  His basketball frame allows London to often win the one-on-one contested catches, and he’s a force in the red zone.

Check out London’s run after the catch and nose for the end zone in the video below, literally flying through the entire UCLA defense.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), London earned a stunning overall grade of 91.3 in 2021.  The one blemish I see is London’s ability to block in the run game earning a below-average 56.6 mark in that regard.

The Detroit Lions are in dire need of a top outside receiver; Drake London fits that bill and may slide to Holmes and company due to that broken right ankle, plus the 2022 draft is littered with high-end talent at the position.