The Los Angeles Chargers found an unlikely premier No. 1 receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. Second-round draft pick Ladd McConkey has quickly emerged as the Bolts’ top playmaker through the first half of his rookie season.
The Chargers uncovered a new premier playmaker
Justin Herbert has a new favorite target: Ladd McConkey. The Chargers’ explosive rookie has quickly emerged as Herbert’s top option this season. Through seven games, McConkey has already totaled 30 receptions, 376 yards, and four touchdowns.
McConkey was recently named to CBS Sports’ Midseason All-Rookie Team:
“McConkey has seamlessly transitioned to the NFL from a spectacular yet seemingly underrated career at Georgia. He’s been a gifted route salesman from the Week 1, and has slowly but surely reminded everyone he ran sub 4.40 at the combine. McConkey hasn’t pieced together monster efforts — outside of his first 100-yard performance in Week 8 — but the steadiness from McConkey through the first half of his rookie season feels very familiar to his efforts on Saturdays in the past.”
The Chargers’ offense is seeing an uptick in production in recent weeks thanks in large part to the prominence of McConkey. The 22-year-old pass-catcher has been developing his skills and adding different elements to his game, propelling his breakout.
Ladd McConkey has turned his biggest weakness into his greatest strength
One of the knocks on McConkey in the pre-draft process was his undersized stature and his questioned physicality. Many analysts wondered whether or not the Georgia product had the strength and toughness to beat press coverage and play on the boundary. So far this season, McConkey has put those reservations to bed and demonstrated that his ability to beat press coverage is not a weakness, but a major strength.
According to Hayden Winks of Underdog Fantasy, McConkey’s 5.3 yards per route vs. press man coverage ranks second in the NFL. He ranks behind only Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro A.J. Brown (6.5) and ranks ahead of other All-Pros like Justin Jefferson (4.5) of the Minnesota Vikings and CeeDee Lamb (4.2) of the Dallas Cowboys, as well as fellow high-profile rookie Malik Nabers (3.9) of the New York Giants.
This ability has allowed McConkey to develop into a consistently open, reliable playmaker for Herbert. McConkey has been one of the Chargers’ most pleasant surprises this season and has the potential to develop into a premier playmaker for head coach Jim Harbaugh’s offense.