The Jim Harbaugh era is here, and it includes the former Michigan coach calling out those who wanted them to draft a weapon because, in the Chargers’ eyes, Notre Dame OL Joe Alt is a weapon. However, the Chargers clearly needed a WR after losing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, and they traded up to 34th overall to draft Georgia WR Ladd McConkey on Friday. Let’s dig into the fantasy implications.
LADD MCCONKEY
Projections: 52.7 catches on 89.1 targets for 678.1 yards and 4.2 TDs
- McConkey never topped a 20% Dominator Rating at Georgia, and production-based analytical metrics don’t like him as a result. Still, he’s soared up draft boards throughout the process and the league clearly likes him. He’s highly athletic, can play all over the field, and has a refined game, all qualities that make him an appealing option to professional football clubs. McConkey’s lack of production is a red flag considering how many highly touted unproductive wideouts we’ve seen bust, but he’s still an intriguing option as a rookie on account of his polish and draft capital.
- The Chargers are going to run the ball a ridiculous amount. They traded Keenan Allen, cut ties with Mike Williams, and let Gerald Everett and Austin Ekeler walk. They drafted Joe Alt fifth overall ahead of Malik Nabers even with Josh Palmer as their WR1. This offense is going to look a lot different than what we’re used to with LAC, but this is still a wide-open depth chart with Justin Herbert at QB. McConkey could realistically challenge Palmer for WR1 duties by the end of the season and should be an easy Day 1 starter given the lack of proven options on this depth chart.
OTHER CHARGERS PASS-CATCHERS
- I’d consider this draft a success for Palmer solely because they didn’t draft a WR fifth overall. Palmer has earned a >20% target share without Allen and Mike Williams before, and now Ekeler and Everett are gone. He could provide sneaky value if he holds onto the WR1 spot all year, although LAC could be maddening from a play-calling standpoint.
- Quentin Johnston was awful as a rookie; there’s no way around it. He’ll need to revitalize his career under a new coach that his no ties to him. He’s currently WR3, although they could draft another WR later in the draft. It’s hard to have much faith in QJ after such an abysmal rookie campaign, but, as it stands now, he’s a projected starter in a Herbert offense.
- Things are looking rough for Herbert fantasy-wise. With all due respect, going from Allen and BMW to Palmer and McConkey is rough, and LAC looks poised to run as much as any team in the league. Herbert is a fantasy QB2.
