Ladd McConkey dazzled in the Chargers’ win over the Saints, showing the type of wide receiver he can be at this level.
To Jim Harbaugh, McConkey’s performance was reminiscent of one of the best wideouts to play the game, comparing him to five-time Pro Bowler Steve Smith.
“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,” Harbaugh said. “They both have the ability to almost look one way and then catch it a few feet the other way.
“It’s really subtle, it’s really good and we saw him do it again in this game,” Harbaugh added. “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.”
Harbaugh ended his playing career with the Panthers in 2001, the same year Smith was on the team.
The comparison between the two is accurate because like Smith, McConkey possesses vertical leap and my-ball mentality to high-point contested passes, along with being great after the catch.