Tag: ladd mcconkey

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ selection of Ladd McConkey

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when Ladd McConkey was announced as the newest member of the Chargers.

The Chargers finally addressed the wide receiver position with the pick of Ladd McConkey in the second round.

McConkey should quickly become Justin Herbert’s best friend. He is a sure-fire separator with silky smooth route-running skills and great speed.

Here is a snapshot of how the general population reacted when McConkey was announced as the newest member of the Bolts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 NFL draft: Watch highlights of new Chargers WR Ladd McConkey

Get familiar with the newest member of the Chargers, Ladd McConkey.

The Chargers improved the wide receiver room with the selection of Ladd McConkey at No. 34 overall.

There were questions about when Los Angeles would address the position after taking Joe Alt in the first round. They answered them by moving up three spots to get McConkey, arguably the best route runner in this class.

To get familiar with the newest member of the Bolts, here are some highlights of McConkey:

 

Chargers NFL Draft grade: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia 34th overall

Chargers NFL Draft grade: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia 34th overall

The Chargers move up into the second round of the 2024 NFL draft to help out their diminished receiving room by selecting an electric difference maker in Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

McConkey projects to be an immediate starter as the slot receiver for a Chargers team that saw its two previous starters depart this offseason. With Joshua Palmer and last year’s first-round pick Quentin Johnston set to play along the boundary, McConkey will help bring some electricity to the middle of the field.

With incredible elusiveness, he is electric in and out of his breaks, awesome yards-after-catch ability, and a reliable playmaker in crucial moments, McConkey is going to make an immediate impact in a new-look Chargers offense.

Grade: B+

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting WR Ladd McConkey

Analyzing the Chargers’ selection of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

This is why you read mock drafts.

In both mock drafts I did on Chargers Wire, including the final mock posted on Thursday morning, I projected that Los Angeles would select Ladd McConkey at No. 37.

And now, with a small trade up to get him, McConkey is a Charger at the 34th overall pick.

The upside here is that McConkey will be a more direct replacement for the traded Keenan Allen as an underneath player who wins with route-running savvy. We know Justin Herbert likes those kinds of players: all Allen did last season was set the franchise record for receptions in a single season.

McConkey is not a slot-exclusive receiver, however. Over 70% of his snaps came on the outside at Georgia despite his slight 5-foot-11 and 186-pound frame. But his release package and creative run-after-catch ability add an element the Chargers offense does not have after trading Allen and releasing Mike Williams this offseason.

So, the Chargers got a wide receiver after all. It was just a day later than some fans may have hoped.

Chargers trade up, pick WR Ladd McConkey with No. 34 overall selection

The Chargers addressed a major need with Ladd McConkey.

The Chargers traded up three spots with the Patriots and selected former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the No. 34 overall pick.

At 6-foot and 186 pounds, McConkey is a high-quality wideout with great speed, route-running skills and solid hands.

McConkey finished his college career with 119 catches, 1,687 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. He was also useful as a runner, as he ran for 216 yards and four scores.

Touted as a first-round pick entering the event, McConkey fell out of it due to concerns with a back ailment. He dealt with back and ankle injuries this past season.

Los Angeles had a need at the wide receiver position after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. McConkey should contribute right off the bat as long as he stays healthy.

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey goes No. 34 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 NFL draft

McConkey will join a Chargers’ receiver corps that is looking to replace stars Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He will likely figure into the rotation immediately alongside Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.

The Georgia Bulldogs saw another player come off the board in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 34th pick.

McConkey joined the Bulldogs as an unheralded three-star recruit in the class of 2020. He redshirted his first season before becoming a top receiving threat for the Bulldogs the following three seasons. As a sophomore in 2022, he caught 58 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns for the eventual national title winners. He was hampered by injuries during his third season, but still recorded 30 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns while appearing in nine games.

McConkey has a diverse skill set, and he proved to be a target in all areas of the field while also being a factor running the football. He scored four rushing touchdowns from the receiver position during his time with the Bulldogs, including weaving his way through the Florida State defense to take a botched double pass attempt to the end zone in the 2023 Orange Bowl.

McConkey will join a Chargers’ receiver corps that is looking to replace stars Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He will likely figure into the rotation immediately alongside Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer.

Los Angeles Chargers select Georgia WR Ladd McConkey with the 34th overall pick. Grade: A

To get a receiver of McConkey’s stature in the top of the second round is an absolute gift for the Chargers, who traded up to make this move.

To get a receiver of McConkey’s stature in the top of the second round is an absolute gift for the Chargers, who traded up to make this move. McConkey will make Jim Harbaugh’s receiver-thin group much better right off the bat. And he’s not just a default slot guy — Greg Roman will be able to move him all over the place. 

Let’s be frank about it: If you’re a smaller white receiver, people are going to want to compare you to every smaller white receiver, put you in a box labeled “Gritty Slot Guy,” and move on to the next. Those who wish to typecast Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey thusly are really missing out.

Over three seasons with the Bulldogs, McConkey caught 119 passes on 158 targets for 1,692 yards and 14 touchdowns. Injuries limited his 2023 productivity to a degree, but he still caught 30 passes on 37 targets for 483 yards and two touchdowns. 70% of his targets came outside, while 23% came from the slot, and 6% from the backfield, so this isn’t just another guy limited to two-way goes from the inside.

McConkey is faster than you might think, tougher than you might think, and his route awareness is NFL-plus right now. Don’t penalize him because he isn’t the typical X-iso outside receiver; focus on all the things he can do for your passing game. And in that realm, he does contain multitudes.

PLUSES

— Route mastery is clear from his tape; McConkey has the full route tree at his disposal, and he can take that right to the NFL.

— McConkey uses an impressive burst off the line of scrimmage to set cornerbacks up in press or off coverage, and then, those cornerbacks are going to have issues with his sudden cuts into and out of his breaks.

— Has a great sense of how to force the defender into a spot, and then will break away quickly to get open.

— Especially for his size (6-foot-0, 186), McConkey has no issue getting grimy catches in traffic, or breaking tackles on an end-around.

— Not at all limited to the slot; he had 485 wide snaps and 204 slot snaps through his Georgia career.

MINUSES

— McConkey doesn’t project as an X-iso receiver per se; he can get boxed out of contested catch situations, especially at the boundary.

— He’s at his best when he has space to create, and while he has the foot movement and short-area quickness to beat press off the line, that could be an adjustment in the NFL.

— Bigger, more aggressive NFL cornerbacks could give him fits for a while; he might need a couple more techniques to get free from those guys.

Every passing game is better with one of those “death by a thousand paper cuts” receivers who can get you that 6-8 yards on third-and-whatever. McConkey is absolutely that guy. And if he’s in an offense where designed openings are the order of the day, he’ll use his understanding of the nuances of the position to become a great asset. He’s more than just a little slot guy at the next level.

Is Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey a target for the Commanders on Day 2?

Is McConkey a Washington target early in the second round?

The Washington Commanders found their quarterback during the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday, selecting LSU’s Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall.

Now it’s time to give him some help.

Washington has Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson at wide receiver but lost Curtis Samuel in free agency. With five picks on Day 2 of the draft, the Commanders will have options.

Could Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey be one of those options?

According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, the Commanders are one of the teams interested in the Georgia star wideout early in the second round. Washington, the Indianapolis Colts, the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans were among the teams linked to McConkey.

McConkey had a productive career at Georgia despite playing in a more run-based offense. His testing numbers were elite, as he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash.

McConkey will help an NFL team immediately in the slot.

 

Chargers mock draft roundup: Who Los Angeles is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

Analysts project what the Chargers will do with their picks on Day 2.

The Chargers came out of the first round with offensive tackle Joe Alt. After the selection, Los Angeles should have their focus on wide receiver, cornerback and the interior part of the defensive line.

General manager Joe Hortiz will have picks No. 37 and 69 to add more talent to the roster.

With that, here’s a glimpse at who L.A. could add on Friday based on what a few mock drafts are projecting.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso 

Round 2: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Analysis: “Keon Coleman is a young wideout who plays a tick faster than his timed speed and flashes acrobatic catch skill.”

Round 3: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein

Round 2: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

Analysis: “Fiske is all gas and no brakes on every single snap, which is exactly what Jim Harbaugh is looking for.”

Round 3: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko & Trevor Sikkema

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Analysis: “The Chargers need to improve almost everywhere on defense. They find a versatile defensive lineman in Newton. He has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment from three-technique to five-technique.”

Round 3: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

“Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.”

NBC Sports’ Eric Froton

Round 2: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Analysis: “A tweener who many scouts profile as a slot corner/safety in addition to having game-breaking punt return prowess, DeJean allowed a 38% catch rate with just 44 YAC on 20 receptions this season. The Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and member of the famed Bruce Feldman “Freaks List”, DeJean could be the Chargers’ new version of Eric Weddle.”

Round 3: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

ESPN’s Steve Muench

Round 2: WR Ladd McConkey

Analysis: “The Chargers address their most pressing need at receiver after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason, snagging the No. 31 overall player on my board.”

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame

Round 2: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Round 3: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler

Round 2: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

Round 3: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Analysis: “Given the Chargers’ need for another running back and Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for Corum, this match feels almost too obvious.”

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

24 potential Falcons targets on Day 2 of 2024 NFL draft

Looking at 24 potential draft targets for the Falcons on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) of the 2024 NFL draft

The Atlanta Falcons weren’t messing around when they said they wouldn’t reach for needs in the 2024 NFL draft. To the surprise of nearly everyone, the Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix on Thursday night.

While fans were hoping for an edge rusher, like Dallas Turner or Laiatu Latu, the first defensive player (Latu) didn’t come off the board until pick No. 15. There are still some quality defensive players on the board going into Day 2, and a few big-time offensive playmakers as well.

The Falcons have one second-round pick (No. 43) and two third-round picks (74 and 79) thanks to the Calvin Ridley trade. Here are 24 potential targets for the Falcons on Day 2 of the draft: