Is second-round pick Ladd McConkey the Chargers' next WR1?

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Chargers have almost always had talented pass-catchers.

Tight ends Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Lance Alworth are a few of the names who've amassed thousands of yards in San Diego and L.A. But since the hiring of coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz in February, however, the Chargers have gone from an offense with an abundance of riches to one faced with questions.

The Chargers traded Allen, released wide receiver Mike Williamsand let tight end Gerald Everett and running back Austin Ekeler leave in free agency. While some of those moves were to ease the Chargers' salary cap constraints left by the previous regime, the Chargers' skill positions -- particularly the receiving corps -- are now considered some of the worst in the league.

The Chargers have added to that receiving group through the draft and free agency. They drafted Ladd McConkey, a second-round pick from Georgia, Brenden Rice (seventh-round pick from USC) and Cornelius Johnson (seventh-round pick from Michigan), and signed veteran receiver DJ Chark.

Hortiz said the Chargers will always look to upgrade every position on the roster, so more receiver help could be on the way. Still, the Chargers' investment on draft night suggests they believe McConkey can be a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Draft history indicates he has a chance.

"He was the guy that we targeted," Hortiz said. "He's a guy that all of the scouts targeted. He was a guy that all of the scouts and coaches looked at, and all of the scouts and coaches loved."

The Chargers traded up three picks with the New England Patriots to select McConkey, something the franchise has rarely done. The Chargers were one of two teams that didn't make a draft-day trade last year, and they had made only two draft-day trades since 2017 before trading up for McConkey.

"That is just a little bit extra motivation," McConkey said. "They want me; they came up and got me, so I'm going to give everything that I have to them and make sure that it is worth it."

McConkey was the second receiver taken in the second round behind Keon Coleman, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills. Recent history shows that second-round receivers can become long-term impactful starters, and sometimes even perennial All-Pro players. It's what the Chargers hope for from McConkey.

Over the past 10 seasons, there have been 13 wide receivers drafted in the second round who went on to have multiple 1,000-yard seasons.Davante Adams (five seasons), A.J. Brown (four), and Michael Thomas (four) are those with the most such seasons. There are two receivers with multiple 1,000-yard seasons who were taken within the first five picks of the second round over the past 10 seasons: Tee HigginsandMichael Pittman Jr. Jordy Nelson, drafted 36th in 2008, had 1,000 receiving yards in 2014 and 2016.

Hortiz, Harbaugh and the rest of the Chargers' staff were impressed with the ease at which McConkey got open in college, whether it be with his footwork and quickness against top SEC corners or altering routes and sitting in empty spaces in zone defenses.

"Those guys that know how to get open, get open, find space and create space," Hortiz said. "They can just do it, and he's one of those guys."

One of the concerns with McConkey is his size and durability. McConkey is 6-foot, 186 pounds, and missed five games in his senior season (four because of a back injury and one because of an ankle injury).

"Our doctors feel great about him," Hortiz said. "He's been pretty durable there. Certainly, he's had some bumps in the road, but he responded and played late this year. That says something about his commitment to compete and to the team."

Another aspect that made McConkey attractive to the Chargers was his versatility. McConkey was comfortable playing as a slot receiver or out wide, making 54 catches for eight touchdowns in the slot and 60 catches for six touchdowns out wide.

He was also an effective punt returner; his 197 punt return yards were the fourth most in the SEC, and his four punt returns of 20-plus yards in 2022 were tied for the third most in the SEC.

"Spatial awareness, feel, getting off the ball, understanding the releases, understanding when to change gears. He's precise," Hortiz said. "The quarterback knows where he's going to be. That's an outstanding thing to have and to bring to the Chargers. We're looking forward to it."