The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Ladd McConkey 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Ladd McConkey Background
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Georgia
Size: 6-foot, 185 pounds
Class: Redshirt Junior
2023 stats: 30 receptions, 478 receiving yards, 15.9 yards per catch, 2 touchdown catches, 2 rushes, 38 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown (in 9 games)
McConkey had a great college career where he helped Georgia win two national championships. Now he is in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a three-star recruit, McConkey decided to stay in his home state and play for the Bulldogs. He redshirted in 2020, his first year on campus. McConkey had a solid role in the offense in 2021, producing with 31 catches for 447 yards and five touchdowns. His play helped Georgia finish the year as national champions. For the 2022 season, McConkey was a star of the offense with 58 receptions for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. Georgia was able to win back-to-back championships with McConkey’s aid. In 2023, McConkey was limited with an ankle injury. He still had 30 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns. He played through the injury, but Georgia missed out on the College Football Playoff for the 2023 season.
Following the injury-plagued season that resulted in an Orange Bowl win for Georgia, McConkey declared for the NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a day-two pick.
Ladd McConkey Strengths
McConkey may be the best route runner in the class. He is quick to get off the line of scrimmage. When he gets to a break in his route he can change direction quickly. McConkey creates a natural separation from defenders and knows how to change his pace on routes. He understands leverage, using it to his advantage. His ability to find soft spot against zone coverage is unique. McConkey displayed the ability to run an expanded route tree at Georgia.
He is good after the ball is in his hands as well. Georgia used him as a returner for this reason. McConkey has nice field vision and runs to open space. He has the elusiveness to make defenders miss in open space and pick up extra yards. McConkey uses his speed and quickness to create big plays once the ball is in his hands.
His athleticism also shines on tape. He has good quickness and agility, which was displayed in his route running and ability to run after the catch. His body control is also solid, as he has good awareness of where the sideline is and can contort his body to make catches that are thrown off his frame. He will fit right in as an NFL athlete.
Ladd McConkey Weaknesses
McConkey is just 6-foot and 185 pounds, which is not big for the receiver position at the NFL level. He will need to continue to fill out his frame to help him in several areas. At Georgia, he played both in the slot and outside. Currently, he has the size to play the slot in the NFL, but will need to add size to be a better outside receiver at the professional level.
Georgia targeted him in the red zone and deep with some frequency. He struggled to make contested catches in those situations. Some of that resulted from the quarterback throwing passes that were out of reach, which highlighted his limited catch radius. He can help teams move the chains, but will likely not be targeted much in the red zone.
With his size, it will be hard for McConkey to make an impact as a run blocker. He can focus on improving his technique and strength to improve in this area. As things currently sit, having him make blocks should not be the key to any game plan.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Third Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
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