When the Los Angeles Chargers used their second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, many fans and analysts were calling it a perfect fit. That led to speculation that the rookie could catch 100 passes in this offense.
If he managed to do that, he would shatter a team record.
Keenan Allen was drafted in the third round of the 2013 draft by the Chargers. He had a strong rookie season, posting marks of 71 receptions and 1,046 receiving yards. That broke the mark of 1,001 yards by John Jefferson in 1978.
Ladd McConkey, great pick by the Chargers. Their wide receivers, beyond Keenan Allen, couldn't get open last season. That's what Ladd does.
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) April 26, 2024
Might be the best out route runner in the class. pic.twitter.com/9rLAUCwiqF
Looking specifically at the reception number of 71, that is quite attainable for McConkey, so long as he has a healthy 2024 season. The Chargers just shipped Allen to the Chicago Bears this offseason, clearing the way for another player to slide into that No. 1 role. It is expected that the team will spread the wealth around, but McConkey looks like the brightest light in that room.
Interestingly, McConkey never caught more than 58 passes in a season during his college career, but he only played in nine games last season.
Last season, we saw another Los Angeles player, Puka Nacua of the Rams, breaking the league's all-time single-season mark for a rookie with 105 receptions. McConkey could do the same by breaking a team record in the first season without Allen.
