Grading the Chargers, Patriots trade: LA moves up to get its next Keenan Allen
When the Los Angeles Chargers took OT Joe Alt yesterday, many were left underwhelmed given the state of the WR room in Los Angeles. Knowing they had to address their weakness and get star QB Justin Hebert some talent on the perimeter, The Chargers decided to trade up with the Patriots and select Georgia WR […]
![Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) scores a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA Football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/57336-usatsi_23063419.jpg)
When the Los Angeles Chargers took OT Joe Alt yesterday, many were left underwhelmed given the state of the WR room in Los Angeles.
Knowing they had to address their weakness and get star QB Justin Hebert some talent on the perimeter, The Chargers decided to trade up with the Patriots and select Georgia WR Ladd McConkey:
Grading the Chargers Trade
Chargers get: 34th overall (Ladd McConkey), 137th overall (4th round)Patriots get: 37th overall, 110 overall (4th round)
Chargers Grade: A+
Los Angeles couldn't afford to wait another three picks and watch WRs come off the board when their best receiving options are Josh Palmer and second-year WR Quentin Johnston.
McConkey transforms the room with a skillset very similar to the recently departed Keenan Allen. He is best known for his pristine route running and superb separation skills. Here are the most intriguing parts of his game:
Strentghs:
- Route Running
Excellent ability to drop his hips on return routes, change his pattern in releases and run a diverse route tree - Quickness
Suddenness off the line of scrimmage and in and out of breaks shines in the short and intermediate parts of the field - Ball Tracking
Tracks deep throws over his shoulder with ease. Can play with late hands and manipulate comers with his hand-eye coordination
Player Evaluation:
McConkey could be excellent value as a late-round pick thanks to his silky routes and championship DNA. Teams looking for a reliable WR #3-4 in a spread passing attack will covet the strengths and pedigree of a player like McConkey.
However, drafting McConkey to do your dirty work over the middle in an offense rooted in play action passing off the ground game would be a misevaluation of his skillset.
Lacking the size and physicality to play over the middle consistently, McConkey is better suited to attack safeties and hanging linebackers from space, hence a spread-out-passing attack.
More on McConkey
A three-year starter at Georgia, McConkey lined up across the formation in offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s scheme (70.3 percent of his career snaps came out wide; 29.6 percent were in the slot). He played in just nine games in 2023 (only one start) because of injuries, but there was a noticeable impact when he BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS 57 was on the field. A tough player to cover one onone, McConkey tempos his long speed to get on the toes of cornerbacks, then snaps the break point with his shortarea quickness. Although his lack of length and smaller hands hurt his catch radius, he plays with competitive ball skills an d doesn’t force the quarterback to be perfect with placement. Overall, McConkey’s size and vulnerability to injuries aren’t ideal, but he is a sudden, skilled route runner and uses synchronized shake to tie defensive backs in knots. He is a quarterback-friendly target with the inside-outside versatility to be a quality No. 2 option for an NFL offense.
-Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Final Word
LAC adds another pillar to their offensive with Ladd McConkey. Now having two bookends at tackle, a top-five QB, and true WR#1 kind of player in McConkey, don't be surprised if this offense is one of the best in the league in 2024.
