After defeating the Atlanta Falcons 17-13, the Los Angeles Chargers have moved to 8-4 on the season. The defense has been dominant so far this year, but the offense has been stagnant, and sometimes downright bad.
However, outside of superstar QB Justin Herbert, there has been one other extremely bright spot on that side of the ball.
While all eyes are on one former Georgia Bulldog, current Raider Brock Bowers, and rightfully so, it’s Chargers Rookie Ladd McConkey who is beginning to put the league on watch.
Former Georgia Bulldogs WR Ladd McConkey Putting NFL On Watch
Bowers currently leads all rookies with 884 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns, with Malik Nabers in 2nd with 740 yards and 3 touchdowns. But McConkey is in a very close 3rd with 698 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The 2nd round pick has essentially been the passing offense for the Chargers this season.
In today’s matchup with the Falcons, (somewhat of a homecoming game for McConkey) Ladd went off to the tune of 6 catches for 117 yards.
In today’s NFL, elite route running is somewhat of a lost art. There are plenty of good receivers who are just more physically gifted than defenders and are able to affect the game that way.
But there is something to be said about great running, and the WRs that put an emphasis on this are the best in the league. For example, Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp, Amon-Ra St. Brown, etc.
McConkey may not be on the level of the receivers listed above, but he is certainly already considered an elite route runner. This means that he is almost always open, which has been critical considering how stagnant the Chargers passing game has been.
His head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has certainly taken notice.
“Ladd McConkey is not an error repeater. Ladd is a gift from the football Gods…Great job Joe Hortiz!”
McConkey still has a little bit of ground to make up to catch Bowers for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but it is absolutely in reach, and for the Chargers, necessary for them to make a playoff push.