Ladd McConkey, the intriguing New Orleans wide receiver, really kicked down doors in his rookie season. He already signed his name in franchise history providing some firework Public Enemy No. He set the rookie record for most receiving yards and receptions. He has established himself as an indispensable linchpin in the team’s high-octane offensive scheme. More concerning than just the over-reliance on him, though, is the sustainability of his work looking ahead.
In his first year as a pro, McConkey was 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds. He backed up all the hype by performing 694 impressive plays on the field. This represented 68.3% of the Chargers total offensive plays, as he was a focal point of their game plan. His remarkable performance led him to finish first in the NFL for the percentage of his team’s receiving yards against man coverage, achieving a staggering 41.2%. He ranked second in total receptions versus man coverage with 34.7%.
Though he achieved success, McConkey’s playing style frequently left him exposed. His competitive spirit drives him to make every catch and run over every defender. This hard ball approach has occasionally led to catastrophic injury. He sustained a hip injury during a Week 6 victory over the Denver Broncos and faced shoulder and knee issues against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13. It was these same injuries that ended up forcing him to miss an important early season matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
McConkey’s ability to perform at a high level despite these challenges has made him a respected leader among the wide receiver group. What impresses me even more is his work ethic. He’ll stop a drill mid-practice to take teammates aside to coach them when he feels their execution isn’t up to the levels his team expects. This leadership quality certainly has not escaped the notice of his coaches.
During the 2021 season, wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal worried that McConkey’s hyperactive playing style would get him hurt. “We don’t want him to get killed,” said Lal of the fine line between McConkey’s competitive drive and his well-being in the field.
Even McConkey himself understands that it’s crucial to be strategic in how he goes about his NFL career. Obviously, there’s situations like third down it’s like I gotta do what I gotta do to get the first down. I’m always going to do that. Only being clever in the context of the game itself,” he said, looking back on his approach while flying past defenders.
Now heading into his second year, McConkey will have to find the fine line between establishing himself as a dangerous playmaker while avoiding unnecessary injuries. Last season, his advanced stats had him 5.8 yards per play better than average when on the field. This remarkable statistic put him in the top ten among all of the NFL’s players that season.
Use of McConkey as Chargers go-to is deeply troubling. Chargers offense could be in big trouble without offensive depth. He looked the part the whole way through, proving himself to be a unique talent. The team needs to figure out a plan to share the load with other receivers so that it doesn’t overexert him.
Leave a Reply