Ladd

McConkey

It looks like Ladd McConkey could avoid the late-summer Keenan Allen rug pull. It’s good news for McConkey as new Chargers OC Mike McDaniel plans to get the wideout more short-area looks in 2026 — targets Allen might have soaked up if he had returned to LA. As recently as late May, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said he had not “closed the door” on bringing Allen back for the 2026 season. McConkey, who by many measures was unlucky in 2025, has WR1 upside in McDaniel’s offense.

Popper believes McConkey’s “versatile skill set” will allow him to function as new OC Mike McDaniel’s passing game “focal point.” McDaniel antagonized defensive coordinators during his time as the Dolphins’ head coach by moving WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle around via pre-snap motion. Popper believes McConkey’s 4.39-second 40 speed, shiftiness, hands, route running and post-catch abilities qualify him to serve as McDaniel’s “move piece.” McConkey’s Year 2 flop lurks in the background, but if his mid-tier WR2 best ball ADP carries over to re-draft leagues later this month — or even drops — that could end up looking like quite a bargain at the end of the year.

McConkey suffered a hamstring sprain in offseason team activities but the expectation all along was the he’d be ready for camp. Elevating near the WR2/WR3 borderline in ADP, fantasy managers are anticipating a breakthrough year three after last season’s disappointment. A full camp with Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert should help.

Harris, a 2025 second-round pick, largely contributed as a dirty-work player last season, blocking in the run game and playing on special teams. That said, Harris led the wide receiver corps with 4.7 yards after the catch per reception via 46 targets. He fits new OC Mike McDaniel’s run-after-catch scheme. It sounds like Harris is penciled in as the Bolts’ WR3 right now, warranting late-round consideration in best ball formats.

We’ve had blurbs about a bounceback season for McConkey, but given how McConkey was behind Keenan Allen in targets last year and only 18 targets ahead of Quentin Johnston, this quote jumped off the page. McConkey managed 884 yards in the final 10 games of his rookie season, along with 197 more yards in the playoffs — the offense may be too deep to get him that level of production again, but he’s certainly shown he’s capable of great things as the No. 1 option. The offseason hype has already priced him right around WR20, so fantasy managers are already expecting a big year from McConkey despite last year’s dud.

McConkey echoed Jim Harbaugh’s message that he doesn’t view it as a significant concern. It is at least a mild one considering it’s costing McConkey reps in a new offense, and could grow into a bigger one if he’s sidelined longer than the internal estimate. That said, most players recover from hamstring strains in weeks instead of months and there’s no reason to believe McConkey won’t be ready for camp.

Reporters haven’t spotted McConkey at recent practices, though Harbaugh said he will participate in individual drills today. This is likely just a minor injury and Harbaugh has said it “isn’t a big concern.” We’ll keep an eye on this but it probably shouldn’t impact his best ball position much from what we know now.

This is seemingly contingent on Keenan Allen not returning, as Popper notes that Allen and McConkey occupy similar areas of the field and says he believes the Chargers should move on from Allen. However, The Athletic’s Chargers beat reporter notes that “I can see McDaniel maximizing McConkey’s shiftiness and yards-after-the-catch ability on some of these same concepts.” It’s possible that McConkey resurfaces in the WR2 conversation this year.

McConkey briefly flashed his top-tier route running abilities by selling a Patriots’ defensive back on an in-breaking fake before cutting back outside, en route to a 20-yard gain. His low target total is inexplicable, as is his status as the No. 2 wide receiver behind a 33-year-old Keenan Allen. McConkey caught 66-of-102 targets for 789 yards and six touchdowns this season. His yardage total led the team, but still falls far short of expectations after a promising 2024 rookie campaign. We give him decent odds of bouncing back next year. The talent he flashed last season is difficult to fake. McConkey can be viewed as a fantasy football WR3 for next year.

The Texans’ pass rush disrupted the Chargers’ passing offense for much of the day. On the Chargers’ 12th drive, McConkey got open along the left sideline via a corner route and successfully secured the 31-yard pass. He also returned two punts for 13 yards. The Chargers’ talented, young wide receiver is a WR2/3 against the Broncos in Week 18.