One of the most exciting weapons in all of college football over the past three seasons, Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey will look to bring some of that excitement to an NFL team as he enters the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Bulldogs explosive playmaker:
Vitals
Height: 5-11
Weight: 186
Class: Junior
40 time: 4.39
Strengths
Despite multiple injuries the stock of Ladd McConkey continues to rise thanks to his performance post injury, a strong pre-draft process, and natural explosion that just jumps off the tape at every turn. McConkey was a top weapon for Georgia when on the field, and has translatable skills at the next level.
McConkey is a sudden athlete whose burst has left multiple defenders looking silly when he has the ball in his hands. McConkey possesses elite levels of quickness, agility, and athleticism, making him one of the top yards-after-catch receivers in this class. McConkey’s route running uses those same strengths as he is incredibly quick in and out of his breaks, oftentimes leaving defensive backs looking dazed as he blows past them off of his break. McConkey is able to identify how he is being defended and slip into soft spots of the defense. His ability to become creative in his routes makes McConkey dangerous to defend in the short area or deep down the field with his deceptively good long speed.
A reliable pass catcher with solid hands, McConkey was trusted over and over again to make a big play happen in crucial moments and has a certain clutch factor that is hard to quantify on a scouting report. He figures to be a third-down machine in the NFL from wherever he lines up in the formation.
Despite only playing in nine games due to an ankle injury, McConkey was still quite productive. Hauling in 30 catches, 478 yards, and two touchdowns through the air, with an additional touchdown on the ground.
Weaknesses
The immediate weakness for NFL teams will be McConkey’s availability given back and ankle injuries this past season. Given how McConkey fights for yards on every play, and possessing an average frame, durability will ultimately be a question mark.
While McConkey’s downfield routes are excellent, he isn’t going to beat a ton of defensive backs in the NFL on longer striding routes as his deep speed is less than desirable despite his natural burst.
Projection
McConkey stands as one of the more reliable pass catchers in this class with solid hands, excellent route-running technique, and a knack for slipping past defenders in an instant. McConkey is NFL-ready and should make an impact right away for whatever team grabs him. McConkey could be undervalued given his lack of deep speed and durability concerns, but he will still undoubtedly find himself as one of the first handful of receivers taken.
Projection: Top 50
