Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is set to repeat his solid NFL debut performance in a Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. McConkey scored his first touchdown in Week 1 and caught a total of five passes for 39 yards. The rookie slot receiver had a 26.9% target share and was the first read on 25% of Justin Herbert's drop backs. McConkey will run a lot of underneath routes for planned short gains, making him much more valuable in PPR formats, but his usage in Week 1 showed that he can certainly develop into a weekly WR3/FLEX option even in a run-first offense.
Sep 12, 2024 3:52 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an impressive debut in a Week 1 Chargers win. He was targeted seven times, making five catches for 39 yards, leading the teams in all of those categories. He also scored his first NFL touchdown, the only passing touchdown of the game for the Bolts. His score came on a 10-yard pass from Justin Herbert in the fourth quarter. McConkey might not lead the team in receiving every week, but he'll clearly have a key role in the passing game and could develop WR2 value sooner than later.
Sep 8, 2024 7:56 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is set to start in the slot in a Week 1 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. McConkey didn't play much in the preseason but is expected to play a significant role in the passing game this season. He's behind Joshua Palmer on the depth chart for sure, but could realistically be the second option for quarterback Justin Herbert on passing plays. McConkey will face a Raiders secondary that was in the upper half of rankings against slot receivers last season. His college numbers put him in the 98th percentile in receiving against single coverage though, so it could be a pleasant welcome to the NFL for the Chargers second-round pick.
Sep 5, 2024 5:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught one pass for five yards during his first NFL preseason. It was a relatively quiet stretch of games for the rookie receiver as he competes for an impactful role in the Chargers' offense. Nevertheless, he formed a strong rapport with Los Angeles' quarterbacks during camp and also showed real promise as a blocker throughout the preseason. These factors alone should be enough to help him push for the No. 2 receiver role to open the year. Joshua Palmer figures to secure the No. 1 job, so McConkey's main competition is Quentin Johnston, who underwhelmed as a rookie last year but has reportedly impressed the Chargers' new coaching staff this summer. McConkey should be treated as a late-round depth piece in most fantasy leagues given that we don't exactly know what his role will look like this year.
Sep 1, 2024 9:07 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey missed time in training camp with an undisclosed injury but was back for the team's second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught one pass. McConkey has worked with the starting offense at slot receiver when the team is in three-receiver sets at practice and appears to be third on the receiver depth chart in LA behind DJ Chark and Joshua Palmer. The 22-year-old was the 34th overall pick in April and appears set to have a significant role in his first year in the NFL. McConkey excels as a route-runner and will need to gain plenty of chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert in what is expected to be a run-first offense in 2024. But with the departure of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, McConkey will have a big opportunity and is worth a late-round flier for WR depth in fantasy drafts.
Aug 24, 2024 1:38 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey made his first catch as an NFL player in a Chargers preseason loss to the Rams. McConkey did not play in the first Chargers preseason game, so Game 2 was his NFL debut. He was targeted just once and made his lone catch for a five yard gain. McConkey likely won't get a ton of run in the preseason given how big his offensive role is expected to be. As long as Justin Herbert (foot) is able to play, McConkey could be a PPR monster as early as Week 1.
Aug 17, 2024 11:43 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has gotten plenty of positive attention during his first NFL training camp, and head coach Jim Harbaugh went as far to as his route running is "elite." The second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft appears to be establishing himself as a clear starter for the Bolts, and he could play his way into the No. 1 wide receiver role ahead of Joshua Palmer. The 22-year-old didn't have the most impressive counting stats at Georgia, but he played in a run-heavy offense that often had the lead and competed with Brock Bowers, George Pickens, and Jermaine Burton, among others for targets. His 14.2 yards per reception and 16.6 yards per carry in college and his 4.39 40-yard dash time at the 2024 NFL Combine suggest he could be an efficient play-maker for Justin Herbert right away. Although the Chargers are expected to deploy a run-heavy offensive attack, McConkey could be a weekly WR3 or flex option if he earns the target-hog role in L.A.
Aug 12, 2024 4:18 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey (lower body) isn't fully healthy in training camp this summer, but his do-it-all prowess gives him significant upside in fantasy, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. McConkey has a little bit of Stefon Diggs to his game, as well as a little Zay Flowers. Fowler writes that McConkey is a sudden mover who can live up all over the field. If he can grasp the Chargers' offense quickly, he could take off in his rookie season. The 22-year-old from Georgia is missing out on valuable reps with quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) in training camp, though, and LA's offense is expected to be much more run-heavy in 2024. But skills-wise, McConkey has what it takes to succeed at the next level and is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/5 in fantasy drafts.
Aug 10, 2024 1:27 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (lower body) returned to training camp practice on Thursday and was seen in a helmet and in uniform. McConkey returned to the practice field for the first time since getting injured on Saturday. Because of the injury, it seems unlikely that the Chargers will run the 22-year-old out there for the preseason opener on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer in town, McConkey, a second-round pick in this year's draft, is fully expected to start in three-receiver sets right away alongside Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark. McConkey's route-running skills could help him excel at the next level, but there are concerns about target volume in an offense that's expected to be much more run-heavy under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Aug 8, 2024 8:25 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) was forced to leave Saturday's training camp practice early due to an undisclosed injury and remained out on Sunday. The Chargers haven't disclosed the specific nature of McConkey's injury after he initially was injured last Thursday in practice before returning on Friday. The 22-year-old second-rounder figures to start out of the slot in three-wide sets right away for the Bolts alongside DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are out of town. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a huge target share in his rookie season, but McConkey is worth a late-round flier as a WR4/flex in redraft leagues as an efficient route-runner in an offense with plenty of opportunity at the position. If McConkey's injury turns out to be serious, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston would likely benefit the most.
Aug 5, 2024 9:28 PM EST
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers second-round rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer were working with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. As of early in camp, it appears that last year's first-rounder, Quentin Johnston, is the team's No. 4 wideout. The 22-year-old McConkey has already developed notable chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert this offseason and could be one of his go-to targets now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are on other teams in 2024. McConkey is an excellent route-runner and deserves attention as at least a late-round flier for receiving depth in PPR fantasy leagues this fall. It's still early in camp, but McConkey's development is worth keeping a close eye on.
Jul 26, 2024 4:24 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was selected at the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make a significant impact right away after the organization moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this offseason. The veteran trio was responsible for most of L.A.'s receiving production over the last few seasons, so there are big holes to fill in Justin Herbert's offense. According to Herbert, McConkey has excelled right away. "He's just picked up the offense so easily. It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game." The Georgia product didn't have impressive numbers in college, but he was sharing the field with standout tight end Brock Bowers in a run-heavy offense and dealt with several injuries. If he becomes Herbert's go-to target right away, he has at least weekly flex appeal and WR2 upside in 2024.
Jul 1, 2024 4:45 PM EST