Chargers' Ladd McConkey trade somehow just got even better

As Los Angeles Chargers' second round pick Ladd McConkey has developed into one of the most exciting young receivers in the NFL, fans of the team have already had ample opportunity to laugh at the New England Patriots' decision to essentially give McConkey away in exchange for Ja'Lynn Polk and a fourth-round pick.

However, with the recent news that the Patriots are trading Polk to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a late-round pick swap, the original deal has become even more lopsided, and fans of the Chargers have even more reason to rejoice.

Now, as McConkey stands poised to be Los Angeles's most important offensive player apart from Justin Herbert on their run for a playoff spot, New England stands in shambles without the benefit of an ascending young receiver.

Ja'Lynn Polk to the Saints makes the McConkey trade even more uneven

On draft day in 2024, the Chargers took a swing, trading up to select McConkey, who had just finished an injury-shortened Junior season at Georgia. However, especially given the injuries, there were concerns about his slight frame and his ability to work his way through press coverage from the slot.

Nevertheless, McConkey proved his doubters wrong in his rookie season, taking in 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and posting a miniscule 4.5 drop-percentage.

Polk, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the season after a shoulder injury he sustained in New England's preseason opener. Moreover, his disappointing rookie season, in which he saw only 33 targets across 15 games and posted only 87 yards across the entirety of his outings, has now caused the Patriots to cut bait on what they evidently see as a failed draft pick.

To make matters worse, New England is in desperate need of a dynamic, young pass catcher, as the best receiver on their roster currently is 31-year-old Stefon Diggs, who is returning from a torn ACL he suffered with the Houston Texans last season.

In addition, the lesser pick swap that was apart of the trade has also come out decidedly in Los Angeles's favor. With the fifth-round pick they received in the trade, the Chargers selected budding young cornerback Tarheeb Still, who got down-ballot votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year and appears poised to take on a starting position in the secondary for the foreseeable future.

The Patriots, meanwhile, selected receiver Javon Baker with the fourth-round they received in the trade. Baker saw only four targets all of last year and most recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad.

In short, the Chargers' swing on McConkey was already a laughable win, and now it has become even more lopsided as Polk goes to New Orleans.