Who Should I Start? Ladd McConkey or Woody Marks

Tuesday, January 27, 12:20 PM

After an excellent rookie season in 2024, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey posted a relatively disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025. Across 16 games played, the 24-year-old recorded 66 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets. McConkey's production fell off sharply down the stretch of the season, as he recorded just one game with more than 40 receiving yards after Week 10. After losing in the AFC Wild Card Round to the New England Patriots, the Chargers decided to move on from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, replacing him with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. While McDaniel's tenure in Miami went downhill over the last couple of seasons, he coached the Dolphins to top-five offenses by measure of total passing yardage in both 2022 and 2023. By contrast, Roman-coached teams have never finished better than 13th in passing yardage in any of his 12 seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator. Given the change in offensive infrastructure around him, McConkey could be in line for a bounce-back season in 2026.

Sunday, January 18, 4:32 PM

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's Divisional Round contest against the New England Patriots. Marks had exited during the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable, but he returned to the game just a few minutes later. The Texans trailed by two possessions late in the second quarter, so they'll benefit from getting their No. 1 ball-carrier back as they look to mount a comeback. At the time of his departure, though, Marks had just seven rushing yards on eight carries, plus a six-yard reception. He and the Texans' offensive line will need to play better for the rushing attack to find more success in the final 30-plus minutes of game action.