Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey received high praise from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, who compares McConkey to NFL legend Steve Smith.
Smith, who primarily played for the Carolina Panthers over his 16-year NFL career, is a tough, quick wide receiver. Smith was quite productive and recorded 1,031 receptions for 14,731 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns in the NFL. Smith is 5-foot-9 and 195-pounds and overcame his size to be one of the top receivers in the NFL during the 2000s.
“I watch the film of Ladd and he reminds me of Steve Smith in the way he goes up for one of those contested balls. They both have the ability to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way,” Harbaugh said.
McConkey is a polish route runner and is coming off the best game of his career. The second round 2024 NFL draft pick has a team-high 30 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns this season. He already looks like the Chargers’ top wide receiver.
“It’s really subtle, it’s really good and we saw him do it again in this game (against the Saints),” continued Harbaugh. “He’s done it in prior games. I tried to put my finger on it, ‘What is he doing?’ and that’s who he reminded me of, Steve Smith.”
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Harbaugh spent the final year of his NFL career in Carolina with Steve Smith, who was just beginning his storied career. If Ladd McConkey’s NFL career ends up being similar to Smith, then he has a chance to make the Hall of Fame. However, there’s a long way to go for the rookie.