Where would the 2024 Chargers have been without Ladd McConkey? The former Georgia product came in with some lofty expectations after he was taken with the 34th overall pick.
As a rookie, he somehow blew those expectations out of the water. In Year 1, he finished with 82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. That doesn’t even include his nine-catch, 197-yard performance in his first career playoff contest.
The Chargers lacked weapons, but he stepped up as the only legitimate, trustworthy target for Justin Herbert. The slot wideout was one of the team’s most valuable players, without a doubt.
Pro Football Focus listed the top 25 players in the NFL under the age of 25 years old. McConkey came in at No. 19 on the list, and PFF’s Jonathon Macri had this to say about the star wideout:
“… McConkey ultimately gets the edge after ranking second among all rookie receivers in PFF receiving grade (85.0), PFF overall grade (84.3), and PFF WAR (0.47) – all just ahead of [Brian] Thomas. McConkey even led all rookies in yards per route run (2.59) and ranked in the top five among all players at the position in 2024.”
McConkey was the fourth-ranked wide receiver on the list, just behind Puka Nacua, Malik Nabers, and Drake London. Meanwhile, he slotted in just ahead of Jaguars stud playmaker Brian Thomas Jr. McConkey was the only Charger that made the list, with OT Joe Alt as the only notable omission.
Given that Alt is just 22 years old, one has to think he will be on that list in a year or two. Thankfully, the Chargers got help in the wide receiver room at the 2025 NFL draft a few weeks ago. That will help take some weight off McConkey’s shoulders, but he will still be Herbert’s go-to target for years to come.