NFL analyst pins Georgia WR Ladd McConkey to AFC West destination in latest mock draft

The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to run it back for a third consecutive time in 2024 as the reigning Super Bowl champions, and could take an additional step toward doing just that in the first round of this year's draft by giving standout quarterback Patrick Mahomes another weapon.

And that weapon just could be former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey. That's who NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein has Andy Reid's team selecting with the No. 32 overall pick in his latest mock draft.

"The Chiefs snag an inside/outside receiver who is one of the most polished, game-ready targets in this class," he wrote.

Despite playing in limited action due to injury issues this past season, McConkey had a sizable impact in his time at Georgia, finishing out 2023 with 30 catches for 478 yards and 3 total touchdowns over 8 games.

He's confident in what he brings to the table as a player who fits well in the slot position, but could be used in a number of ways with the amount of versatility he brings to the table as a prospect.

“(I can) run deep routes, catch screens, get in the run game a little bit, come down and block some safeties… play special teams well," McConkey said when I spoke with him at the Senior Bowl. "Kind of a savvy route runner. Find the gaps, win man to man and stuff like that."

McConkey projects as a late first-round or early second-round selection, pinned to a host of teams including the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and others in addition to the Chiefs.