The Los Angeles Chargers have invested significant time, draft capital, and/or money into recent wideouts like Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams, Josh Palmer, and Quentin Johnston. Ladd McConkey has something none of them have: More than 25 receiving yards in every game to start his career.
While his 219 yards and two touchdowns are not Rookie of the Year material, his efficiency numbers paint a far more impressive picture. He is currently fourth in Yards per Route Run (Y/RR) in this class, ahead of players drafted before him like Keon Coleman, Xavier Worthy, Rome Odunze, Xavier Legette, and Marvin Harrison Jr. The shifty wideout leads all rookie wideouts in missed tackles forced with six, which means he forces at least one missed tackle on every three receptions. For reference, the next-closest total is Malik Nabers with four, but he forces one roughly every eight receptions.
The question remains the same: How can Greg Roman get the rookie more involved so that McConkey's efficiency can translate to a higher yardage and touchdown total? His 3.95 Y/RR against man is third-best among 39 NFL wideouts with at least 10 targets against man coverage, trailing just Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb. McConkey is averaging about four catches and 40 yards per game. As quarterback Justin Herbert returns to near-full after a stronger showing in Denver, it may be time to feed the beast and let Mad Ladd go off.
