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    Should I Draft Hollywood Brown or Ladd McConkey in Fantasy Football This Year?

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    Should fantasy managers look to select the veteran Hollywood Brown in a high-powered Chiefs offense, or is rookie Ladd McConkey a better pick in 2024?

    We have an AFC West debate for you that has been causing headaches for fantasy football lovers all offseason. We have the rookie Ladd McConkey, and we have Hollywood Brown. The question is, who is the better fantasy option for your team?

    Well, their average draft positions (ADPs) are close to each other, with Brown at No. 98 overall and McConkey at 106. So, who has the better fantasy outlook this season? Let’s break down both players and help put this debate to rest.

    2024 Fantasy Outlook for Hollywood Brown

    When the Kansas City Chiefs signed Brown, we had stars in our eyes like an old-school cartoon because his fantasy outlook skyrocketed. The issue is that he enters the season with a shoulder injury.

    Last year, Brown was only able to produce 51 receptions, 574 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. TruMedia ranked Brown as the 26th-best receiver in air yards per target last season. Impressively, Brown did this with random quarterbacks and Kyler Murray. This year, he has an upgrade of Patrick Mahomes, which will always elevate a player’s fantasy outlook.

    If Brown can come back quickly and build rapport with the superstar quarterback, this connection could be deadly for opposing defenses.

    The Chiefs have also loaded up this year at the position. In addition to Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, they drafted Xavier Worthy and just signed JuJu Smith-Schuster. It’s crowded in Kansas City’s wide receiver room, making us wonder where Brown’s role will be in this offense when he recovers from injury.

    2024 Fantasy Outlook for Ladd McConkey

    The Los Angeles Chargers drafted McConkey No. 34 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although the Chargers will lean into their run-heavy scheme, they still have Justin Herbert and must build around their young superstar quarterback. McConkey can help them move the ball down the field and pick apart opposing defenses throughout the game.

    Don’t expect McConkey to be an X receiver in the NFL, as he only stands 6’0″ and weighs 180 pounds. Nevertheless, he possesses the quickness and acceleration that will dominate out of the slot.

    McConkey is also an above-average receiver when it comes to yards after the catch and will do so on a weekly basis. The only downside to his game is his catch radius, but Herbert’s accuracy is good enough to help with that issue.

    Who Should I Draft for Fantasy Football?

    Honestly, neither of these players are targets that excite us for fantasy football in 2024. However, in this debate, I rather take a shot with Brown in Kansas City.

    Typically, we don’t draft injured players as it’s not an optimal draft strategy. This time is unique, though, since Brown is tied to Mahomes and could help bolster our roster later on when the wins matter most.

    Brown has produced before, while McConkey is still a “pipe dream” that we must see work out. We are betting on the better offense, elevating the player.

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