Ladd McConkey – Receiver – 22 years old – Senior – Georgia
Height: 1m80
Weight: 84 kilos
Estimated draft position: 15-35
NFL Comparison: Garrett Wilson (Jets)
Same size and same liveliness once the ball is in hand. The two receivers also have the same speed: 4.38 seconds for Wilson in 2023 over 40 yards and 4.39 seconds for McConkey in 2024.
Ladd McConkey is the prototype of the player that no one sees coming and who nevertheless causes damage in the NFL: like a submarine!
Ladd McConkey Highlights
– Doubly fast
– Be an offensive weapon
On the field, a player's speed manifests itself in several ways. Ladd McConkey is fast and can cover around fifteen yards in less than three seconds: the average throwing time for an NFL quarterback is between 2.5 and 3 seconds after the engagement.
He can attack deep with a deep route and also suddenly change direction to get rid of marking or to gain a few extra yards after reception. Pure speed and liveliness, Ladd McConkey is doubly fast.
With the University of Georgia, he played mostly on the outside. He also contributed inside the field with crossing movements, then making the difference with his speed. Ladd McConkey also knows how to offer plays to feint defenses like Jet Sweep. Recovering the ball in the middle of a race from one side to the other behind the line of engagement, he knows how to surprise the opponent by overtaking him where he is least expected!
Ladd McConkey's weak point
– Physical attributes
Ladd McConkey is neither big nor strong. Worse, the length of his arms as well as the size of his hands are below the prerequisites: during the 2024 Senior Bowl, his hands were the smallest on the board (16 receivers).
This may (should) seem anecdotal but by managing players for years, NFL staffs define typical physical profiles by position. Ladd McConkey does not meet NFL physical standards!
The Georgia player has an NFL career ahead of him that could be bright. The vintage being very rich at the position, he could be chosen in the first round as in the second.
Possible destinations
Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers.
Even if Gabe Davis arrived to replace Calvin Ridley and even if the Jaguars have other targets (Engram and Kirk), now is not the time to deprive Trevor Lawrence of ammunition. The Steelers lost route runner Diontae Johnson, so Ladd McConkey could replace him alongside George Pickens.
With pick number 4, the Cardinals select junior Marvin Harrison. It seems to be written in stone but is it really? If Arizona chooses another player, their second pick in the 1st round (27) could allow them to add a quality target for Kyler Murray.
Since the draft of Lamar Jackson, the Ravens have sought to surround him as best as possible. Draft choices (choice 27 in 2021 on Rashod Bateman) or signings (like Odell Beckham for example). So far, only young Zay Flowers has lived up to expectations. Giving LJ8 a player capable of quickly standing out and then gaining yards after receptions could be the missing link taking the franchise to the Super Bowl.
Helping Bryce Young has to be the priority for the Carolina Panthers. If he is still available with choice 33, he could make the actions more concrete: only 13 aerial touchdowns in 2023 (31st NFL result in 2023)!
If the Patriots choose a quarterback in the 1st round, the Georgia player would be a great addition for this franchise lacking quality receivers.
Jim Harbaugh has always built his teams around the offensive line and defense: it is therefore unlikely that he will ask for a receiver in the 1st round of the 2024 draft. If available in the 2nd round, Ladd McConkey is a better version of Ronnie Bell and Roman Wilson whom he had under his command at Michigan.
