For the majority of Justin Herbert’s career, the Los Angeles Chargers have provided him with an elite supporting cast but a lackluster defense.
It turned out to be the complete opposite this past season after the team hired defensive minded head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The former Michigan Wolverines coach quickly transformed the unit into one of the NFL’s best, but the Chargers never reached their full potential because of their lack of talent on offense.
The only consistent threat on the field for Herbert to utilize was second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
After showing he’s capable of carrying an offense at certain points, the expectations for him are sky high entering his sophomore campaign.
McConkey was so impressive during his rookie year that he earned a spot on NFL Top 100 which is a yearly ranking of the best 100 players in the league that is voted on by the players.
The former Georgia Bulldogs star made the list by the skin of his teeth at No. 100, but this placement here so early in his career almost guarantees that he will move up eventually.
NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@Chargers WR Ladd McConkey comes in at No. 100! #NFLTop100 @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/dClFVJOWB6
— NFL (@NFL) June 30, 2025
The Chargers star racked up nearly 1,150 yards and hauled in seven touchdowns last season which helped solidify his spot as the team’s No. 1 receiver.
His solid regular season was emphasized by the greatest playoff game by a rookie receiver in NFL history.
In Los Angeles’ Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, McConkey set the rookie record for receiving yards in a playoff game with 197.
He also had an improbable touchdown catch and run that catapulted him onto the national scene.
Now with all these eyes on McConkey, he is beginning to earn the respect from his contemporaries as well.
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