Tag: ladd mcconkey

Derwin James reveals Chargers’ biggest needs this offseason

Derwin James identified the trenches and wide receiver as the Chargers’ biggest positions of need heading into the offseason.

It’s no secret that the Chargers are a few moves away from becoming legitimate contenders in 2025. With over $65 million in cap space, the front office has the resources to improve this team this offseason.

Most of its issues come on the offensive side of the ball, as the Chargers had the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL in 2024. On Micah Parsons’ podcast, safety Derwin James reflected on which positions the team should go after this offseason:

“Like you say, you know, it starts in the trenches. We gotta secure the trenches and then get the guys on the outside that are gonna catch the ball and go do it and make plays.”

James is not wrong, as the interior offensive line and wide receiver are arguably the two most significant needs for this team. The defensive line remains a mystery as well, given the fact that Poona Ford is a free agent.

Ford was the unit’s best player in 2024, so it would be wise for the front office to do whatever they can to re-sign him. Center and right guard were liabilities along the offensive line this past season, so that’s where the front office will look to address.

The other three spots along the offensive line are locked down with young studs. Whether it be through the draft or free agency, there’s no doubt that the team will be going hard after the wide receiver position. A trade could even be a possibility, such as Cooper Kupp.

There’s nothing wrong with what James said, as he spoke nothing but facts. The veteran defensive back is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. As a result, he earned his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl.

What went right and what went wrong for the 2024 Chargers

After finishing the regular season on a three-game winning streak, LA’s season ended in disappointing fashion in the Wild Card round.

The Chargers’ 2024 season came to a disappointing end after a one-and-done trip to the postseason. Still, the season gave a glimmer of hope for the future of the franchise.

Below, we will tackle just went right as well as what went wrong with this year’s squad.

Right: New coaching staff

Jim Harbaugh was able to implement his style of football into this team immediately. That was evident before the season even began when the team beefed up in the trenches. The squad was able to win some closer games and actually exceed expectations, something that isn’t often said about Chargers teams. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was an exceptional hire as well, as the defense was No. 1 in the NFL in scoring.

Wrong: Playmakers for Justin Herbert

There were heavy criticisms last offseason after the Chargers seemingly didn’t address the wide receiver and tight end positions enough. Most of the low-risk signings ended up being complete busts at the two positions, which included Will Dissly, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst. Too often, Justin Herbert had to rely on his stud rookie Ladd McConkey, and had essentially no one else to go to. The front office should learn from their mistakes and target these two positions heavily this offseason.

Right: Rookie class

Enough can’t be said about Joe Alt and McConkey, who obviously head this class. That’s not all though, as the team’s two rookie corners, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, were big-time contributors in 2024. Without this rookie class, this team would not have made the postseason this year. It looks to be one of the best draft classes in Chargers history, and we’re already one year in. They were a big reason for this year’s success, and the same should be said for the future.

Wrong: Consistency

It was an up-and-down year for the Chargers, namely when it came to them playing better competition. They finished with a 2-6 record against playoff teams this year, both wins coming against the Broncos. That’s right, with the exception of Denver, the Chargers were winless against playoff teams this year. There’s no doubt that this team still has some flaws, and that will be addressed by the front office this offseason. One would hope this team can be a bit more consistent in 2025 with hopefully a few more offensive weapons to give them a more balanced unit.

Right: Special teams

This aspect of NFL teams often goes unlooked, but the Chargers’ special teams unit was quite solid in 2024. Cameron Dicker continues to be one of the best, most consistent kickers in the league. In his third NFL season, he went 41-for-44 on field goal attempts, which included several clutch, timely ones. Derius Davis was quite solid in the return game and gave the team positive field position on several occasions. This unit did more good for the team than bad, and that should continue as long as Dicker sticks around in Los Angeles.

Chargers’ studs and duds from the 2024 season

The Chargers made the playoffs in the first season under Jim Harbaugh, which should set the stage for bigger expectations moving forward.

All things considered, it was a successful 2024 season for the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s first year with the squad went even better than expected, and the future is bright with this squad.

This team could be a few moves away from being legitimate contenders in 2025. Before we look ahead to the offseason more though, it’s time to look back at the studs and duds from this season.

Stud: DT Poona Ford

What a breakout season for the 29-year-old. The defense took a big step forward in 2024, and Ford’s addition was instrumental. In the regular season, the veteran racked up three sacks, eight tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, his first career interception, and five pass deflections. Entering this season, he had four career pass deflections in six NFL seasons and he surpassed that number in 2024 alone. Ford was dominant in stopping the run and he’s a guy that the Chargers must re-sign this offseason.

Dud: Joey Bosa

Simply put, it was a disappointing season for the four-time Pro Bowler. Bosa recorded just 5.5 sacks in 14 games, the worst number in a season in which he’s played at least six games. He missed just three games this year, but it was clear that he wasn’t the same throughout the season. As a result, Bosa is a legitimate cap casualty candidate this offseason as the Chargers can save a lot of money by moving on from him.

Stud: WR Ladd McConkey

What a rookie season for the Georgia product. McConkey was even better than advertised and was able to eclipse the 100-yard mark an impressive four times. The playmaker finished with 82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns on the year. McConkey established himself as the team’s best wideout and should have a bright future in Los Angeles

Dud: Asante Samuel Jr.

Injuries got the best of Samuel in 2024, which limited him to just four games. He was quite durable in his first three NFL seasons in which he played in 47 games. Even when he was healthy, Samuel wasn’t the same playmaker that we have become accustomed to. Now, his future in Los Angeles is up in the air as he’s scheduled to hit free agency. Not only may Samuel be a bit too pricey, but the Chargers have a few young corners that stepped up and played well this season.

Stud: OT Joe Alt

Why not highlight another rookie? The class looks to be a stellar one after one season, and these two have a lot to do with that. Alt was superb in his first NFL season, which helped the Chargers form one of the best offensive tackle duos in football. For all of the criticism on the team not taking a wideout with the fifth overall pick, Alt proved to be well worth it. Along with Rashawn Slater, this team is built to protect quarterback Justin Herbert for a long time and Alt is a big reason for that. The Notre Dame product was particularly exceptional in pass protection, which will be crucial to keeping Herbert healthy in the future.

Ladd McConkey snubbed from NFL rookie award

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey snubbed from prestigious NFL award

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey missed out on being an offensive rookie of the year finalist. The Chargers selected McConkey, a former Georgia Bulldog standout, in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

McConkey finished his rookie season as his team’s leading receiver and helped Los Angeles make the NFL playoffs. No other offensive rookie of the year finalist achieved this combination of accomplishments.

In the regular season, McConkey became the Los Angeles Chargers’ all-time leading rookie receiver in receptions and receiving yards. He finished the year with a team-high 82 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McConkey had the 10th-most receiving yards and 19th-most receptions of any NFL player.

The former Georgia standout did not stop there. McConkey followed up an outstanding regular season with a historic performance against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. McConkey set the NFL rookie receiving yardage record in a playoff game with his 197 receiving yard, nine reception, and one touchdown performance. McConkey’s historic performance was not enough as the Texans beat the Chargers 32-12.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

McConkey posted more postseason receiving yardage than all of the other NFL offensive rookie of the year finalists combined. The other offensive rookie of the year finalists are Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

Pair of Chargers named to ESPN’s All-Rookie Team

Joe Hortiz did a great job in his first year as Chargers general manager.

The Chargers got a lot of production from their rookie class this past season. But two players in particular shined among the crop.

They were offensive tackle Joe Alt and wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who were named to ESPN’s All-Rookie Team.

Alt, the No. 5 overall selection of the 2024 NFL draft, played to his first-round billing. He was a wall in pass protection, allowing one or fewer pressures in 11 of his 16 games. This came against some of the league’s best pass rushers, too.

McConkey, Los Angeles’ second-round pick, quickly established himself as Justin Herbert’s top target. The former Georgia product finished with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns en route to shattering multiple franchise rookie records.

Los Angeles also got significant contributions from cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.

Chargers’ top 10 offensive performers in 2024, per PFF

Here’s a look at the top 10 offensive performers based on Pro Football Focus’ overall grades.

The Los Angeles Chargers’ season ended when they fell flat to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.

With the offseason on the horizon, Pro Football Focus’ year-end offensive player rankings will become all the more important as Los Angeles looks to re-tool for 2025.

Here are the Chargers’ top-10 offensive performers by PFF’s metrics:

1. QB Justin Herbert

PFF grade: 91.2

2. OT Rashawn Slater

PFF grade: 90.9

3. WR Ladd McConkey

PFF grade: 84.3

4. OT Joe Alt

PFF grade: 75.9

5. WR Derius Davis

PFF grade: 74.4

6. WR Quentin Johnston

PFF grade: 67.4

7. TE Will Dissly

PFF grade: 67.1

8. WR Joshua Palmer

PFF grade: 67.0

9. RB J.K. Dobbins

PFF grade: 66.6

10. Stone Smartt

PFF grade: 66.4

Final stat leaders for the Chargers in 2024

Ladd McConkey led all receivers in every category except for touchdowns.

All attention has shifted to the offseason, but while it’s still fresh, we can still reflect on this past season for the Chargers.

Here are the final stat leaders from the 2024 regular season.

Offense

Touchdown Passes – QB Justin Herbert (23)

Passing Yards – QB Justin Herbert (3,870)

Rushing Yards – RB J.K. Dobbins (905)

Rushing Touchdowns – RB J.K. Dobbins (9)

Receptions – WR Ladd McConkey (82)

Receiving Touchdowns – WR Quentin Johnston (8)

Receiving Yards – WR Ladd McConkey (1,149)

Yards Per Catch — WR Simi Fehoko (17.0)

Defense

Sacks – EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (8.5)

Tackles – LB Daiyan Henley (147)

Interceptions – CB Tarheeb Still (4)

Passes Defensed – CB Tarheeb Still (10)

Forced Fumbles – EDGE Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa (2)

Quarterback Pressures — EDGE Khalil Mack (52)

Punt Return Yards – WR Derius Davis (235)

Kick Return Yards – WR Derius Davis (524)

Ladd McConkey sets NFL playoff record in postseason debut

Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey has record-setting postseason debut

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey set an NFL rookie record for receiving yardage in a playoff game. Los Angeles Chargers receiver McConkey hauled in 197 receiving yards on nine receptions and scored one touchdown.

McConkey is the Los Angeles Chargers’ all-time leading rookie receiver in receptions and receiving yards. He wrapped up an incredible rookie season with an impressive playoff performance. McConkey’s play has helped the Chargers’ passing game immensely, but the Chargers lost 32-12 in to the Houston Texans to end Los Angeles’ season.

McConkey scored an 86-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to make things interesting, but the Texans iced the game with a lengthy drive following McConkey’s touchdown.

McConkey finished the regular season with a team-high 82 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McConkey had the 10th-most receiving yards and 19th-most receptions of any player in the NFL as a rookie.

Here’s a look at McConkey’s impressive touchdown. Quite a throw on the play from Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEtJ45nS8JV/?img_index=2

Former Georgia star pass catchers McConkey and Brock Bowers both had amazing, record-setting rookie seasons and are bright spots for their respective teams.

Another one of Puka Nacua’s impressive rookie records was just broken

Puka Nacua’s rookie record for receiving yards in a playoff game lasted just one year after Ladd McConkey broke it on Saturday

Puka Nacua put together one of the best rookie seasons ever by a wide receiver in 2023, but two of his most impressive records have already been broken. Not only did Brock Bowers (and Malik Nabers) surpass Nacua’s record for receptions by a rookie in one season with 112 catches, but Ladd McConkey eclipsed another one of Puka’s marks on Saturday.

With his 197 yards against the Texans on Saturday, McConkey broke Nacua’s record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game. Nacua had 181 yards and a touchdown last year against the Lions.

It’s amazing how quickly both Bowers and McConkey overtook Nacua on those two lists, but it’s also a testament to how great the 2024 class of rookie pass-catchers has been.

Nacua still has perhaps the most important record of all, though. He holds the mark for the most receiving yards in a season by a rookie with 1,486 yards, breaking Bill Groman’s record of 1,473 yards, which was set way back in 1960. Brian Thomas Jr. came the closest to breaking Nacua’s record this year with 1,282 yards for the Jaguars.

Even with two of his records being broken, no single individual has ever matched the collective rookie season that Nacua had in 2023.

Offense nowhere to be found in Chargers’ loss to Texans: Instant analysis of wild-card game

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ playoff loss to the Texans in a game that saw Justin Herbert have arguably the worst performance of his career.

The Chargers’ season has come to a close after losing to the Texans on Saturday.

Here’s our recap of Los Angeles’ 32-12 loss to Houston.

It was over when…

Justin Herbert’s pass intended for Ladd McConkey was picked off by Eric Murray and taken back for a touchdown to extend the Texans’ lead to two scores late in the third quarter.

Notable number

Herbert is the first player in NFL history to throw more interceptions in a playoff game than in the regular season, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim. He threw four tonight and only threw three all year.

3 stars of the game

  1. WR Ladd McConkey: 9 catches, 197 yards, touchdown
  2. EDGE Khalil Mack: 2 sacks
  3. CB Deane Leonard: Interception

Quick hits

  • This was arguably the worst game of Herbert’s career, crumbling with the world watching him. He finished 14-32 (43.8%), the worst completion percentage in a playoff game by a Charger since Philip Rivers in 2006, and tied for third worst in franchise history, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
  • Herbert had never thrown more than two interceptions in a game in his entire career.
  • The Chargers’ offense was lifeless the entire game. The Texans pressured Herbert 19 times and sacked him four times. There were too many dropped passes. The running game was nonexistent.
  • The Chargers’ defense forced three turnovers, but the offense only turned those takeaways into three points.
  • Los Angeles averaged just 2.8 yards per rush. The Texans dominated at the line of scrimmage, giving the Chargers no rushing lanes.
  • McConkey was the leading receiver with nine catches for 197 yards. The next on the list was Will Dissly, who had two receptions for 16 yards. Quentin Johnston had five targets but failed to record a catch.
  • Los Angeles finished 3-of-11 on third down. They held Houston to 5-of-14 on third down but allowed them to convert on both fourth-down attempts.
  • The momentum shift came late in the second quarter, deep in Texans territory when Stroud fumbled the snap but recovered and found a wide-open Xavier Hutchinson in the middle of the field for a 34-yard gain because of a busted coverage. Houston scored and went on to put up 23 unanswered points.

What’s next?

The Chargers finished the 2024 season with an 11-7 record and a playoff spot in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach. They enter the offseason with plenty of positional needs at running back, wide receiver, tight end, interior offensive line, edge defender and interior defensive line.