Editor’s notice: This is the seventeenth installment in a season-long collection about an rising star of the NFL’s closing week of motion. The winner of week 17: Los Angeles Chargers large receiver Ladd McConkey.
Ladd McConkey cannot pinpoint a selected second that confirmed him he could possibly be a 1,000-yard receiver. The thought developed over time, ranging from OTAs. But the chatter bought louder because the Chargers rookie bought nearer to the end line.
One of these folks talking was teammate Derwin James Jr., who had adopted McConkey’s run to the end line all season. The star security even reminded the 6-foot, 185-pound receiver of the milestone earlier than Los Angeles’ Week 17 sport in opposition to the Patriots.
“Don’t attempt to drive something, (like), ‘Oh, I want this, I want that,’” McConkey mentioned of his method. “Let me remind you, and that is how I’ve all the time performed. It’s been good for me.”
Well sufficient for him to not solely attain this milestone, but in addition etch his identify into franchise historical past.
McConkey set Chargers rookie data for each receptions and receiving yards in Sunday’s 40-7 loss to New England, which clinched Los Angeles’ playoff berth. With a team-high eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns within the sport, McConkey superior to 77 receptions for 1,054 yards for the yr with one common season sport remaining, surpassing Keenan Allen’s franchise rookie report of 71 receptions for 1,046 yards which had been set in 2013.
The thirty fourth total decide, McConkey has shortly turn out to be quarterback Justin Herbert’s favourite goal this season. He is the Chargers’ main receiver with 470 yards. Along with Brock Bowers, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., he’s one in every of 4 rookies to succeed in 1,000 receiving yards this yr, the primary time in NFL historical past.
McConkey has 50-plus receiving yards in 9 straight video games, tying Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and fellow 2024 ahead Nabers for the longest receiving streak by a rookie for the reason that 1970 merger, in accordance with FOX Sports Research.
“He’s only a actually powerful participant,” Herbert mentioned. “He’s finished an incredible job battling accidents and being on the market for us. He’s a man we belief on third down. Every time we go on the market, he is a risk.
“All I’ve to do is give him the ball and he’ll make my job loads simpler.”
Why McConkey was profitable in Week 17
The second-round rookie made his manner by way of the center of the sector in opposition to the Patriots.
McConkey caught all 5 of his targets for 65 yards down the center, in accordance with Pro Football Focus. That contains his 40-yard landing within the third quarter that was simply contained in the numbers.
Cornerback Jonathan Jones was lined up in opposition to McConkey on the play, in off-man protection with outdoors leverage. But he did not have the over-the-top security assist he appeared to count on, and McConkey raced to the purpose for the straightforward rating.
“He’s a participant,” James mentioned.
Against the Patriots, the previous Georgia star additionally confirmed off his sense of house, discovering holes in New England’s protection. He’s had success a couple of occasions with whip routes, the place the receiver sells an in-breaking route earlier than exploding again to the surface.
That’s how he scored his six-yard landing run within the second quarter.
“He’s actually bodily gifted and has an incredible understanding of defenses and the way folks play them,” Herbert defined. “Find a option to open up.”
In Year 1, McConkey was one of the crucial dominant slot receivers within the NFL. He is second in receiving yards (706) and receiving touchdowns (5) and first in receiving EPA (plus-50.4) off the road, per Next Gen Stats, proving his effectiveness within the Chargers’ offense.
He had 5 receptions for 79 yards and one in every of his touchdowns out of the slot in opposition to the Patriots, in accordance with NGS. He was lined up inside for seven of his 10 targets.
“He’s a robust man,” coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned. “He’s a soccer participant.”
And one who appears destined for a lot of extra 1,000-yard seasons.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, the place he was Titans beat the author for a yr and a half. It lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) earlier than transferring to Tennessee. You can observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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