The Los Angeles Chargers have traded up three spots in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, using the New England Patriots’ No. 34 position to select Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The Chargers gave up their own fourth-round pick (No. 37) and a sixth-round pick (No. 110) to make the move.
McConkey is a shifty slot receiver who played a key role in Georgia’s back-to-back national titles. He had 762 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions in 2022, and averaged a career-best 15.9 yards per reception in 2023 despite being limited to just nine games due to injury. He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which cemented his status as one of the top options in a loaded receiver class.
The Chargers have a need at wide receiver after releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen this offseason. They selected Quentin Johnston in the first round of last year’s draft, but he had an underwhelming rookie campaign. McConkey should be in line for a significant role in the Chargers’ offense in 2024.
This move represents a continuation of the run on receivers stemming from the end of the first round Thursday night. McConkey spent his full college career with the Bulldogs and he played a role in the team’s back-to-back national titles. The shifty slot man showed notable improvement from 2021 to ’22. In the latter campaign, he posted 762 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions. That was followed by an injury-shortened 2023 campaign, with McConkey being limited to just nine contests. However, he averaged a career-best 15.9 receptions while remaining a key figure in Georgia’s passing offense. At the Combine, the 6-0, 186-pounder ran an impressive 40-yard dash time (4.39 seconds). That cemented his status as one of the top options in a loaded receiver class. Finding playing time should not be challenging for McConkey. Los Angeles released Mike Williams before trading away Keenan Allen this offseason. As a result, the WR spot has been seen as a major need in spite of the decision to select Quentin Johnston in the first round of last year’s draft. Johnston had an underwhelming rookie campaign, but he should be in line for a notable role in 2024. The same will likely be true of McConkey.
