Every draft pick carries with it an element of risk and that is true, especially for the Los Angeles Chargers. With the team overhauling its front office and coaching staff, changes were bound to happen and they were broad and sweeping. The Chargers were betting big that a few of its draft picks would pay off big, that is to say be quality starters and contributors.
Among those was fifth-overall draft pick Joe Alt, who was tapped to start at right tackle, and second-round pick, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who was tasked with, in part, replacing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as the team’s top receiving threats.
Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday this bet paid off in spades.
Chargers Draft Picks Top 33rd Team Rankings
Both were named to The 33rd Team’s Top 10 Rookie Stat Lines From Week 8.
Alt was actually named the top non-quarterback by this ranking by not allowing a quarterback pressure on any of his 38 pass-blocking snaps against the Saints. This is tied for the most snaps without a pressure allowed by a rookie tackle over the last 3 seasons.
McConkey was named the eighth-best rookie by performance. He had the best game of his career so far against the Saints. It is arguable that he actually had one the best performance of any receiver in the NFL last week. His six receptions and 111 yards were both top 10 in the league among pass catchers, but he was one of four to catch two touchdowns. Only CeeDee Lamb had more receptions and yards with two touchdowns.
Alt and McConkey have been top performers for the Chargers all season. Alt has allowed the fewest pressures of any starting offensive lineman on the team and is nearly tied with Rashawn Slater and Zion Johnson for the best PFF run-blocking grade.
Even before his breakout game, McConkey was the team’s top targeted receiver and also led in catches and yards. This game serves as proof that he has the high ceiling that scouts saw while he played at Georgia.
