Chargers trade up in 2024 NFL Draft to pick Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey is headed to Los Angeles! The Chargers traded up four spots with the New England Patriots in the second round to select McConkey with the 34th overall pick. McConkey was projected to go in the first round but slid down due to a back issue, according to NFL Network's […]
Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey is headed to Los Angeles!
The Chargers traded up four spots with the New England Patriots in the second round to select McConkey with the 34th overall pick.
McConkey was projected to go in the first round but slid down due to a back issue, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Chatsworth, Georgia native makes the jump to the NFL after logging 26 catches for 418 yards and a touchdown in 2023. However, his best year came during Georgia's 2022 national championship run when he achieved 58 catches for 762 yards with seven touchdowns. He also added 134 yards and two more scores on the ground.
In total, McConkey reeled in 119 receptions for 1,687 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns through 29 games with the Bulldogs all while often being overshadowed by Brock Bowers.
Kirby Smart Shares What Makes McConkey Stand Out from Other Receivers
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart sang high praise of McConkey as he watched his draft stock rise during the pre-NFL draft process.
"It started from the time that we offered him to now," Smart said. "He's ascended and aspired to be great. Nobody dislikes Ladd McConkey. [I] think nobody on our team would say there's a better teammate than that. I don't think he's ever said a negative word about anybody. He's just such a good kid. Such a hard person to find. He's a great football player on top of that."
Aside from McConkey's infectious personality and great leadership, Smart said what separates McConkey from other receivers in this year's draft class is his proven ability to separate and help move the chains.
"In and out of breaks," Smart said. "His ability to separate is probably one of those key things and in the NFL there's less touching. You're able to run routes and that's going to be advantageous for him because he can come in and out of breaks. They'll watch him on third down. He's pretty elite on third down and getting open and that keeps the chains moving."
McConkey gives the Chargers an immediate boost to their wide receiver room and offers quarterback Justin Herbert an elite speedy target.
Georgia TE Brock Bowers reacts to going No. 13 overall in 2024 NFL Draft
A full-circle moment for Bowers.
