The Los Angeles Chargers are completely changing how they approach their offense this season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. With new general manager Joe Hortiz trading six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and waiving head coach Justin Herbert’s second-preferred wide receiver target, Mike Williams, it naturally created a new opportunity for Allen to be the team’s WR1 and then WR2 this season.
CBS Sports’ Brandon Howard believes former two-time Georgia Bulldogs CFP national champion Ladd McConkey, whom L.A. selected No. 34 overall in April’s 2024 NFL Draft, could be the team’s top wide receiver this season.
“McConkey, the Chargers’ second-round draft pick out of Georgia, has a good chance of leading the team in receptions and receiving yards this season,” Howard wrote. “That’s why he’s probably the first Chargers player to draft in one-quarterback leagues, ahead of Justin Herbert. McConkey was a great quarterback buddy in college, and he seems to have already connected with Herbert in offseason workouts. This will see McConkey replace Keenan Allen as the Chargers’ slot receiver, potentially freeing up up to seven targets per game (Allen has been targeted 8.5+ times per game over the past seven seasons, but that was in a different system). McConkey is small (5’8, 186 pounds), but he’s a great route runner and will get open often. His volume is expected to be high, so his potential is greater in PPR, and the seventh round is the right time to take him. In redraft non-PPR leagues, you’ll have to wait another round. In a rookie-only draft, I expect McConkey to be taken between 6th and 10th. Overall, it depends on the format and the score.”
Joshua Palmer is an active pass-catcher who was Coach Herbert’s biggest standout last season and is arguably Coach McConkey’s biggest rival.
The SEC Second Team selection finished his three collegiate seasons with 119 receptions for 1,687 yards (14.2 yards per reception) and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns.
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