FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey (WR – Georgia)
6’0″ – 185 lbs.
Background:
A Georgia native and three-star recruit, Ladd McConkey played seemingly every position except wide receiver in high school. He redshirted in 2020, then caught 31-447-5 (14.4) the following year, splitting his snaps between the slot and the outside. Has taken roughly three-fourths of his snaps out wide over the past two years, recording 58-762-7 (13.1) as a sophomore and 30-478-2 (15.9) this past year (with six games missed due to injury). Has also scored four rushing touchdowns on 13 career carries.
Positives:
Three-year contributor for a major program, playing both inside and outside. Fast receiver with some explosiveness; eats up cushions quickly and can threaten defenses downfield. Polished route-runner with quick feet and attention to detail; runs patterns to all three levels of the field with a lot of underneath stuff and some deep shots mixed in. Gets through the stem without having to gear down much, creating separation against man. The team used a lot of tight formations which gave him room to run away from corners on out-breaking routes, and was hard for defenders to stick with. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder when working down the field. Has good flexibility to adjust to throws away from his frame. Caught just over half of his contested catches. Creative runner who shows impressive elusiveness with the ball in his hands, especially working in very sudden back-jukes. The team tried to scheme him touches on screens, reverses and other such plays. A competitive runner who won’t break a ton of tackles but fights hard for additional yardage. Also has experience returning punts — role that fits his skillset well.
Negatives:
Missed a lot of time this year and probably didn’t have quite the season he was hoping for. Frame is a bit on the thin side, which could be a concern given his tough style of play and the fact he’s been banged up a bit. A lot of his catches come on plays in which he’s schemed open with creative designs, rather than winning a ton of reps against man coverage; screens, releases into the flats, overloads, etc. Doesn’t have the frame to box out defensive backs on fades and routes of that nature, although the team targeted him fairly regularly on those types of plays. Willing to sell out for throws but doesn’t provide the biggest radius overall. Can struggle to hang on through contact and showed some alligator arms and focus issues at times. Ball security can sometimes be an issue.
Summary:
A fast, explosive receiver who got a lot of off-coverage in school because of his speed, and who was then able to work underneath the defense for some easy grabs. Because of his creativity and elusiveness as a runner, the team also loved scheming him touches on screens and other plays of that type. Looks like a second-day pick that would function best on a team that could get him the ball with room to work.
Projection: Round 2/Round 3
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