WR Drake London falls to Cardinals in Charles Davis’ NFL mock draft
Apr 5, 2022, 7:49 PM | Updated: 8:05 pm
It’s been a rough offseason for the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver room.
Christian Kirk signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and A.J. Green remaining on the free agent market has left a hole at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Charles Davis of NFL.com thinks the draft could provide the perfect opportunity for the Cardinals to fill that hole.
At pick No. 23, Davis’ mock draft has Arizona selecting Drake London, a wide receiver from USC.
Big frame, big production. Larry Fitzgerald moved to the slot and put up terrific numbers at the end of his career. London moved inside often at USC in 2021 and thrived. He can do the same to help QB Kyler Murray get the Cards back to the playoffs — and potentially log a postseason win or two.
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Thriving is an understatement for London’s performance in 2021. He recorded 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in late October.
His 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame is similar to Green, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 207 pounds. It would also keep Rondale Moore lining up inside the numbers.
However, there are two glaring issues with Davis’ mock draft: Is wide receiver the position that needs the most attention for Arizona? And will London’s talent even be available at No. 23?
Bolstering the defensive line is a big priority and a talented pass-rusher is still needed for the Cardinals to replace Chandler Jones, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cornerback is also a position that will always require a level of depth, even after Arizona signed Jeff Gladney, adding to the emergence of Marco Wilson and Byron Murphy Jr.
The wide receiver class for the 2022 NFL Draft is full of playmakers and Davis’ mock draft shows it.
Six receivers are projected to be selected in the first round, with Garrett Wilson (No. 8), Chris Olave (No. 16) and Jahan Dotson (No. 22) taken before London. With a deep receiver class, it is possible the Cardinals could select a receiver on day two or three of the draft that could deliver No. 2 receiver production.
Would the Cardinals pass up on picking London with the No. 23 pick? Probably not. Will he be available by the time the Cardinals are on the clock? Very unlikely.
