Former Georgia football star Ladd McConkey named among NFL’s elite wide receivers

Georgia Bulldogs product Ladd McConkey has just one rookie NFL season under his belt but he's already regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the league. 

PFF ranked 32 of the NFL's best wide receivers and put McConkey at No. 22:

McConkey made a strong impression in 2024, proving that size isn’t a prerequisite for impact at the NFL level. He earned an 85.0 receiving grade and ranked in the 90th percentile in separation rate against single coverage, a clear sign defenders can’t afford to take him lightly.

The Chargers snagged Ladd McConkey with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he wasted no time making waves in LA. McConkey lit up his rookie season with 82 catches for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, smashing the Chargers’ rookie records for receptions and receiving yards, eclipsing none other than Keenan Allen.

And just when fans thought he couldn’t top that, he dropped a postseason masterpiece, racking up nine receptions, 197 yards, and a touchdown in the Wild Card Round, marking an NFL record for a rookie in a single playoff game. Talk about a debut season to remember.

Things are projected to only go up from here for McConkey. 

As the Chargers' offense evolves and McConkey's role expands, especially with veterans like Allen no longer in the mix, he is set to become a focal point. His ability to consistently beat single coverage, combined with a full offseason to build on his early momentum and better chemistry with Justin Herbert, makes him one of the most exciting breakout candidates heading into the 2025 NFL season.

It doesn’t hurt that McConkey has been hitting the weight room hard this offseason, packing on five pounds of muscle—clearly, he means business.