Ladd McConkey was the breakout star of the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 8 win against the New Orleans Saints. The second-round rookie hauled in six catches for a career-high 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Bolts’ 26-8 victory, establishing himself as the most productive receiver on the Chargers’ roster.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh offered high praise for McConkey, going as far as to compare him to a former All-Pro receiver.
Ladd McConkey Reminds Jim Harbaugh of an Ex-Panthers All-Pro
McConkey had been peppered with Justin Herbert targets through his first six NFL games. He’d received at least four looks in four of six weeks entering Sunday’s contest and led the Bolts with 36 targets.
The Georgia product was lauded for his route-running and after-the-catch ability, but McConkey wasn’t viewed as a contested-catch threat.
That may have changed in Week 8 when McConkey went up for a deep pass against cornerback Alontae Taylor, ripped the ball away, then evaded multiple New Orleans defenders for a 60-yard touchdown.
Harbaugh was a fan of what he saw from McConkey on Sunday and completed the rookie pass catcher’s ability to that of former Carolina Panthers wideout Steve Smith Sr.
#Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh on Ladd McConkey:
“I watch the film of Ladd, he reminds me of Steve Smith” pic.twitter.com/KKmV2xtelQ
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 29, 2024
“It was great to have the explosive plays,” Harbaugh said. “Ladd jumps off the tape. You know, I’m watching the film of Ladd. He reminds me of Steve Smith.
“In the way that when he goes up for one of those contested balls, it’s like they both had this ability and skill to almost look one way and then catch it just a few feet the other way. It’s really subtle. It’s really good.
“Saw him do it again in this game, and he’s done it in prior games. I thought I had noticed that. I was trying to put my finger on, ‘What is he doing?’ And that’s what it reminded me of: Steve Smith. It’s pretty cool.”
Smith spent an astounding 16 seasons in the NFL and was productive through the end, posting 70 receptions for 799 yards and five touchdowns in his final campaign (2016). He spent the first 13 years of his career with the Panthers before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2014.
Smith is eighth on the NFL’s all-time receiving yardage list (14,731). Every player above him is already in the Hall of Fame, except Larry Fitzgerald, who will be a first-ballot HOFer when eligible in 2026.
At 5’9″ and 195 pounds, Smith brought a tenacity to the field that couldn’t be quantified. He also won the receiving triple crown in 2005 after putting up a 105-1,563-12 line.
Is McConkey the Chargers’ WR1?
McConkey has a long way to go to match Smith’s career production, but he may have already ascended to Herbert’s favorite wideout.
While 2023 first-round choice Quentin Johnston scored three times for the Chargers in Weeks 2 and 3, he subsequently slowed down before suffering a Week 6 ankle injury. He’s been sidelined since, allowing McConkey to dominate the targets from Herbert.
Ladd McConkey's Week 8 film is sweet. You really see all of the skills (route running, stemming off routes to make an easy target, ball-tracking, YAC) that made him a great prospect translate to the NFL.
And I think you really see Herbert's immense trust in him on display on… pic.twitter.com/d4QHWQmM9G
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) October 28, 2024
Through eight weeks, McConkey ranks third among rookie wide receivers in receptions (30) and receiving TDs (four), fourth in targets (44), and fifth in yards per route run (2.01).
McConkey’s on-field target share (24.1%) is tied for the 16th-best among all NFL wide receivers. He’s earning targets at the same rate as wideouts like the Atlanta Falcons’ Drake London, the Ravens’ Zay Flowers, and the Washington Commanders’ Terry McLaurin.
While the 4-3 Chargers could still consider adding a receiver before next week’s NFL trade deadline, McConkey’s breakout could be a sign of things to come. Week 8 was the first time he’d surpassed 70 receiving yards this season, but the Bolts have started to open up their passing attack.
Herbert averaged just 14.75 passing attempts per game from Weeks 1 through 4 and never attempted more than 17 throws in any of those contests. However, since returning from a Week 5 bye, Herbert has attempted 21, 27, and 20 passes.
