Through the first three weeks of the 2024 season, Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is one of the five best man coverage beaters in the NFL.
Per Pro Football Focus, McConkey has a 91.7 receiving grade against man coverage, third in the league behind Malik Nabers and Justin Jefferson. His yards per route run (Y/RR) number of 4.13 is fifth in the NFL out of 46 receivers with five or more targets against man coverage. McConkey, who has been incredibly elusive, has had all five of his receptions against man go for first downs.
The rookie is only looking sharper as games progress. What's more, he is unlikely to face competition in the slot when veteran wide receivers Josh Palmer and DJ Chark return from their injuries. Through three games, McConkey has played 67.7 percent of his snaps in the slot. The next-closest percentage is Palmer's at just 29.5 percent. Chark, who has not played a regular season snap for the Chargers so far, has never spent less than 74.6 percent of his season-long snaps out wide.
His floor is as high as it gets in this offense (which, admittedly, is not a dynamic passing attack right now). He is averaging over five targets per game and is one of the more aggressive run blockers on the team. Both suggest he is someone the Chargers can and will keep on the field. Be sure to keep an eye on McConkey after the Chargers' Week 5 BYE when a (hopefully) rested Justin Herbert looks to recapture momentum in the AFC.