Ladd McConkey NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Georgia WR

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 186

HAND: 8⅝"

ARM: 30¼"

WINGSPAN: 72"

40-YARD DASH: 4.39

3-CONE:

SHUTTLE:

VERTICAL: 36"

BROAD: 10'4"

POSITIVES

— Great acceleration. Gets to top speed in a hurry, especially as a route-runner.

— Good speed. Can be a downfield threat as well as reliably run other routes off a vertical stem.

— Good flexibility and change of direction. Quick feet and smooth hips.

— Good route-runner at the top of his breaks. Works to manipulate DBs and snaps off routes effectively.

— Above-average concentration and hands when working in traffic.

NEGATIVES

— Very skinny frame.

— Poor play strength. Struggles to fight through contact, both at the line of scrimmage and later in routes.

— Poor jump ball ability. Not someone who can go up and fight for the ball consistently.

2023 STATISTICS

— 9 G, 30 REC, 478 YDS (15.9 AVG), 2 TD

NOTES

— Born Nov. 11, 2001

— 3-star recruit in 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 23 career starts

— 2022 second-team All-SEC (Coaches)

— Missed first month of the 2023 season with back issues, missed two more games with an ankle injury

OVERALL

Ladd McConkey brings all the athleticism and route-running traits to be a high-quality receiver, but size and strength could limit his potential.

McConkey is one of the better route-runners in the 2024 draft class. His quick feet, smooth hips and instant acceleration allow him to run any route effectively. McConkey particularly excelled running digs, posts and comebacks at Georgia thanks to his acceleration, which helped him put defensive backs on their back foot immediately. The detail in many of his routes is advanced for a player his age.

On top of that, McConkey shows solid hands. He has the concentration ability to find the ball and hang onto it through traffic, which will be of great value for someone who does most of their work to the intermediate range.

However, McConkey loses plenty of reps for one reason or another due to his lack of size and strength.

At the line of scrimmage, McConkey has no ability to fight through contact or use his frame to push off DBs. There are too many instances where a DB gets hands on McConkey and the rep is over right away.

Likewise, McConkey is not a ball-winner in the air. He just does not have the length, strength or explosive leaping ability to go up for the ball in the air. Contested catches will not be in his bag of tricks in the NFL.

McConkey can be a good slot/Z type in the NFL. He can play both inside and out, he is a highly effective route-runner and his hands are reliable enough. With that said, McConkey's lack of size and strength will likely limit him to being a complementary piece rather than a core part of his future offense.

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 55

POSITION RANK: WR10

PRO COMPARISON: Faster Diontae Johnson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

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