The Los Angeles Chargers are a team that entered the 2024 NFL Draft without a definitive go-to wide receiver. Well, the addition of Ladd McConkey to a collection of perimeter players at the disposal of Justin Herbert just created an incredibly intriguing fantasy football outlook for the former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver.
What can dynasty managers expect from McConkey in this Chargers’ offense in his rookie season?
Should You Draft Ladd McConkey in Dynasty Fantasy Football?
When a team loses 229 receptions and 2,339 receiving yards worth of production from the season prior with an exceptionally talented quarterback under center and the top competition for targets are players like Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Hayden Hurst, you have the recipe for a big-time fantasy producer at wide receiver.
McConkey landed in a near perfect fantasy situation entering the NFL. Most would assume that is because he is playing with Herbert and the team just parted ways with Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett. While that is true, there is so much more to his potential fantasy fit here in Los Angeles that should get dynasty managers excited.
One can make an argument that he’s already the best route runner on the team with his exceptional stem IQ, electric change of direction skills, and tempo variation. He is probably the most versatile receiver with regard to his ability to operate either outside or in the slot at a high level. And he is probably the team’s best run-after-catch threat with acceleration, contact balance, and deceptive top speed.
After the departure of the four players just mentioned, there are 320 targets up for grabs from last season. Do we really think McConkey isn’t going to see a hefty amount of those looks from one of the best quarterbacks in the league in 2024?
The table is set for McConkey to make a massive fantasy impact early in his NFL career, and he’s paired with a great long-term option at quarterback. Sometimes, dreams really do come true.
Who Is McConkey?
Background
McConkey was the rare middle-of-the-road recruit to make a huge impact on a loaded Georgia Bulldogs roster during their championship run. He was widely touted as a three-star prospect out of North Murray High School in Georgia.
During his prep days, McConkey was a big producer, with 3,051 all-purpose yards while spending time playing quarterback, running back, and receiver. He also contributed in the return game.
McConkey is listed at 6’0” and 185 pounds, which is on the smaller size for a receiver but isn’t a death sentence when projecting him to the professional ranks in today’s NFL.
College Production
McConkey’s pure receiving numbers won’t jump off of the page in comparison to some of the other receiver prospects in this class. But his 119 receptions for 1,687 receiving yards and 14 TDs certainly shouldn’t be dismissed as disappointing production, especially considering that he played on a team that won two national championships in three years and featured all-world TE Brock Bowers.
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In addition to his receiving numbers over the last three seasons, McConkey added 216 yards and four scores as a ball carrier on just 13 carries.
His most productive season came in his redshirt sophomore year when he secured 58 receptions for 762 yards and seven TDs while adding 134 yards and two more scores on the ground.
Injury History
McConkey has dealt with a couple of injuries during his collegiate career. He played just nine games in 2023 while dealing with both back and ankle ailments.
McConkey’s Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Start/stop ability with exceptional short-area quickness.
- Can string together multiple moves as a ball carrier.
- Can change direction with sharp cuts and immediately get back to top speed effortlessly.
- Plenty of formation versatility — able to operate effectively out of the slot or outside.
- Effective release package with the ability to rip or swim jab attempts from DBs in press coverage.
- Yards-after-catch machine.
- Plus-level elusiveness and contact balance to shed tackles and churn out yardage with the ball in his hands.
- Has fantastic reps of winning at the breakpoint.
- Capable of cutting at full speed at the top of his route stem.
- Bursts out of his bam step to create separation.
- Tempo and timing of when to hit his trigger step can maximize separation when baiting defenders to flip their hips.
- Great feel for gearing down against zone coverage.
- Multiple reps where he identifies the defense and settles down in zone windows.
- Has double-move repertoire.
- Stutter-and-go has great tempo and timing (Ole Miss 2023 & Tennessee 2022 games feature prime examples).
- Consistent effort as a run blocker.
Weaknesses
- Top speed lacks juice to stack or threaten defenders consistently at the NFL level.
- Limited catch radius could cap his impact as a contested-catch option at the next level.
- Concerns about his play strength at the catch point against bigger, physical corners at the next level are valid.
- Had issues with drops in 2022.