How would you feel about Ladd McConkey at 32?
 

Might be one of the more polarizing prospects I can remember on CP.

Havent watched him enough to have a solid take. But in general, i'd rather go BPA than over drat a guy who mostly belongs in a pool of day 2 guys.

And to be clear, i do like the kid. I think he's a good player. It just further reinforces my thought that they aren't going WR day 1.

He's not a #1. Too much combine hype.

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Thank you. No.

I like McConkey because I think he's a great fit for our offense and I think he is a very safe pick with a high floor. McConkey has experience playing outside and in the slot. He runs crisp routes and seems to get good separation. He's good at finding holes in zone defenses and he doesn't just quit when the play breaks down. Also he has very reliable hands. These are traits our current WRs lack.

He's never going to be a #1 receiver because he lacks elite physical traits. I've never thought of him as a first round pick but, picking at 32, most players left on the board will have second round grades.

AD Mitchell has elite traits but never produced as a #1, is not a great route runner and quits when routes are covered.

Xavier Worthy has elite traits. Clearly he fast, quick, runs good routes and has good hands (when healthy) The question on him is how frail he is. Can he last a full season?

Troy Franklin doesn't possess any elite traits. Very poor contested catch percentage and is quite skinny.

Unless one of the truly elite WRs falls to us (or we trade up), we're looking at the next tier of WRs who should all have second round grades.

In summary, I would be fine with Ladd at 32 but I'm hoping we get lucky one of the elite WRs falls, we trade up or trade down (but not too far).

Cautiously optimistic.

There are some prospects I'd rather have if they're available at 32 (Guyton, Worthy, Netwon), but McConkey is a high-floor, immediate contributor type. He could be a solid WR2 on day one.

He's not a gamebreaker type that's going to dominate with explosive plays, so I understand the sentiment that he's not a super exciting pick.

I would shake my head and say "for **** sake".

I think he'll be another Skyy Moore but obviously hope I'm wrong if we draft him.

Combine creation

Nonsense, and that's coming from somebody that voted "underwhelmed".

Checks every box. Showed it on tape, at the senior bowl and combine.

He’s gonna be really good

If he can break press converage at the line, get open, and catch the ball consistantly, Im all in. From what Ive read about him, he checks those boxes, plus has speed to go with it.

No, he's what Moore was supposed to be. But Moore couldn't translate to the higher competition level. McConkey has been playing against future NFL talent and producing. I think there's little chance he fails, but he's probably not going to be a star.

Exactly. Perfectly said.

Somewhere between underwhelmed and pissed depending on where Burton and Pearsall go because I feel they are fairly similar guys based on the information I have and I don't think any of the 3 are head and shoulders better than the other. Actually, I like Burton in traffic best. If those go bottom or 2 or later and we pass on a good player elsewhere, I'm probably going to be a little hot and think we reached for need.

I’m on record not liking ladd, and would be furious at 32.

At 64 i would be okay with it.


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Biggest argument against McConkey is Pearsall and Wilson can be had in rd 2 and they are also excellent fits for the same role.

He's been playing for a team that bulldozes nearly all other teams in their conference and his numbers are pretty underwhelming. I also don't like that he doesn't get near his TE in terms of receiving yards. Bowers is not Travis Kelce. Sure, he might be good enough to be a JAG WR3 or WR4 but when you pick in the first round you've got to have at least a hope and preferably an expectation than they can develop into a star. I think there's other WRs with a higher ceiling and better college stats who could/should be available at pick 32. Give me Franklin or Legette.

Write-in vote for "Nervous."

There's a lot to like there AND I can see him being a McLaurin-like player. But I'd be waiting for the shoe to drop.

I don't claim to be an expert. I'd have to defer to the the CP brain trust. Do you guys think he can play outside? If so I'd put my trust in veach making the right pick.

Bowers IS basically the Kelce of college football. Whether that's going to translate to the NFL or not is a valid question.

And there are many likely higher ceilings, it's true, or at least, I agree.

But he's not a slot only guy. His ceiling may be Cooper Kupp. Or it may be Renfrow. We don't know.

At 32, probably there will be more explosive options. But we'll have to see.

I'd rather take Pearsall later, but that's just me.

This isn’t a critique of him as much as what we need to do with the pick. A steady, relatively low ceiling WR is not the best use of a first round pick for us. I’d much rather see us move up for an LT. If that option isn’t there, I’d consider one of the higher ceiling WR’s there (e.g. Keon Coleman), BPA or possibly trade down. A player of McConkey’s caliber could be had at pick #40 or even #50 (even if McConkey himself isn’t available there). Someone like Legette, Coleman, Worthy or Franklin will be available mid-2nd round. If we can trade down and stash an extra pick.

He's basically what we hoped Sky Moore would be, but I feel like there are others with greater upside.

I'm not advocating for the kid, so much as trying to counsel against hyperbole. No need to slag him because you prefer another. he's not my favorite either, but he's a solid bet.

He has the potential to be a good #2 or slot guy, I just don't see him as a #1 and great down field threat, which is what I think KC needs the most at this point.

I defended McConkey some because people were sleeping on his athleticism, especially prior to the combine.

You can question whether he's a fit for the Chiefs, have concerns about his injury history, and suggest you can get a similar player later in the draft.

But, don't sleep on his quickness, speed, and cutting ability. Georgia ran jet sweeps with this kid. He might look like a walk-on, but he's the real deal.

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I don't think you need to claim there's any "braintrust" around these parts. We mostly argue about bullshit that rarely comes to fruition in the name of... fun... I think. We all like our guys and none of us are pro scouts. Mostly we like to wing it from the end of our couch and say "look I got that one" every once in a while.

Thinking the same earlier today, there are route running slot receivers that will be available for us at #64 so why take McConkey.

There's just nothing special about him.

I think McConkey can play outside in the NFL but I do think he'd be a better player from the slot in a system like New England used to run with Brady (Erhardt-Perkins) that features the guy as a primary weapon. I guess that would place him higher for guys like Sirianni, Daboll, Lombardi, etc. I do think he's still a good player here too, I just don't know with the guy.

He falls into the guys in the draft where you say "would he be a 1st rounder in any other draft," and if your answer is no then you have your answer. He's in that group for me.

Is there another WR in this draft who you guys would trust to get open more if you had just one play like Harman's or Moor'e in the last two Super Bowls?

...His reputation as the best route runner in the class and being a sure-handed pro ready product make me wonder if he wouldn't be the top choice.

Slightly underwhelmed, but really depends who else is left on the board at the time.

Trust more than those 2 on a whip route? Yeah, **** yeah. Worthy. Absolutely no question. That kid's whip route is insane. I mean, that's if he's even within reach now.

2nd on my list would be Pearsall.

I meant more than McConkey, but looks like there's at least two WRs in this draft you like better in that scenario. Who else?

Probably Xavier Weaver and Anthony Gould

I voted "underwhelmed" because #32. If he was selected at 50ish with a Sneed pick, I'd be happy; I think he's very quick on his route cuts, has high FB IQ, and would be a great chain mover. If the Chiefs somehow got Thomas at #1 (minor trade-up?), or more likely an DT or OT at #32, McConkey at 50sh, I wouldn't be at all disappointed.

I just can't get past THE CATCH with Pearsall. You know, THAT one.

I don't think I've ever seen a one handed grab like that.

Nobody projected him as a first rounder til he ran fast in his underwear

Here’s how I see it right now:

Won’t make it to us:

MHJ
Nabers
Odunze
Thomas Jr
Mitchell

Early 2nd rd WR’s that are option for 32 or small trade up if necessary:

Xavier Worthy-size scares the hell out of me. One dimensional type player based mostly on speed. If we get Mooney or Samuel while keeping Hardman I won’t see the point.
Ladd McConkey-can do everything at an high level. Smart, good size, athleticism is more than there, can run routes.

2nd rd WR’s:
Xavier Legette: too raw for me. Maybe at 62 if we get a good FA WR. He’s gonna need time to develop.
Troy Franklin-he’s gonna be there around 62 to me. He’s capable but a build up type speed guy. Can fit but not high on him.
Keon Coleman-underrated to me but Rice fills that role.
Malachi Corley-same. A little underrated but we have that guy in Rice already.
Roman Wilson-ideal fit for us IMO. Very similar to McConkey. Can do everything well, has the athleticism and was very good on extended plays.
Ricky Pearsall-like him a lot. Would fit nicely here. His age will make him fall towards 62 like Juan Thornhill did when’s he was drafted.

Bottom line for me is Worthy or McConkey at 32 (Worthy small trade up?) but if we get a top 50 pick for Sneed I’d use 32 on a lineman like Darius Robinson, Johnny Newton or a LT if one falls while drafting Roman Wilson.

Why is Legette considered too raw when he's put up far better numbers this year than McConkey has ever done playing in the same division on a much better Georgia team? Legette is also taller, 35lb heavier and ran the same 40 time. I really don't get it.

McConkey battled back and ankle injuries in 2023 so he missed time. He only played in 9 games. He played in 14 games in 2022 and had 750+ yards and 7 TDs. When he was on the field, he produced.

So he's potentially injury prone and he amassed 500 yards less in his best ever season than Legette did in his most recent season. Playing for a better team in the same division. The only obvious thing he's got on Legette is age.

Legette had more yards than a lot of very good receivers that will be drafted before him, including Marvin Harrison Jr.

Production isn’t the end all be all. And I really like Legette, but there are some questions about his skill as a route runner.

I do like Legette but he does a lot of what Rice does. He also isn’t very polished in his routes. Excellent for YAC and some straight line deep shots.

I feel like guys like him, Corley and Coleman would play the same role as Rashee. Would we spend an asset that high on them to play (mostly) the same position?

Ladd McConkey only produced 480 yards last season.

No. Thank. You.

Hype.

I don't mind McConkey as a player in general, I prefer Pearsall but the issue with this is the selection being the #32 pick. Would much rather go different position at 32 and circle back and take a receiver in the 2nd round.

How do you feel about Roman Wilson? 15+ YPC avg in 3 years as a a starter. 789 yards and 12 TD’s in a run first offense.

He missed several games due to back and ankle injuries. You can knock him for being a broke dick in 2023, but not for a lack of production. He produced when he was on the field.

at first glance, better, especially at his current avg draft position.

Ok, that's what I'm looking for. Thank you!

He had 760 the year before, which is pretty respectable.

I stand mostly corrected.

Respect.

His YPRR is really good in a run first offense.

It all depends on who's still there for me...like if BTjr, Worthy, and Mitchell are all gone, I wouldn't hate Ladd at 32.

I'd probably still take Coleman or Legette in that scenario just based off of the upside potential but I wouldn't hate it.

Depends on who is available, but there are a few guys likely to be there I'd prefer.

Legette
Wilson

I've yet to come up with a scenario where he's going to be at the top of my draft board. And have to squint to get him into the top 5.

I would not be pleased at all.

So in a draft where - again - I was TRYING to screw us (i.e. I didn't even have JJ McCarthy go in the 1st, or Nix or Penix) I still have Suamataia available ahead of McConkey. Now I could've made it slightly worse in hindsight - I had the Lions take Powers-Johnson and the 49ers take Graham Barton.

So let's take Suamataia off the board and send him to SF instead of Barton - that still leaves me Worthy (and possibly Barton, though I don't like him as much at OT) to choose from.

Though I will concede that in this scenario, things got damn lean on me in a hurry. So had the Cardinals, for instance, gone with Worthy to replace Hollywood instead of Coleman who I had them take instead, that would've left me without Kingsley, Morgan or even Worthy.

At that point my top WR options are McConkey, Worthy, Coleman Wilson and Pearsall
OT: Amegadjie, Barton, Paul, Fisher
DL: Fiske, Dorlus, Chop and Darius Robinson(s)

So I'm pretty close to holding my nose and taking McConkey there, though honestly I think I'd probably go with Chop Robinson at that point over him. Sure, it's 3 straight years at DE and we just signed Danna, but I just don't care. Every position is a 'need' in 3 seasons and ultimately I can't shake FAU losing snaps to Malik Herring in January. That's a very bad sign, IMO. I'd be content with Chop there.

It's similar to how last year's draft went. There was a worst case scenario there for us and it's pretty much exactly how it unfolded. In the process, Joey Porter Jr fell though. I think we made a mistake and reached for need in FAU. I'd have gone a completely different direction with JPJ and now would have already backfilled for Sneed's departure.

And on the lead-up to the draft I believe I had this exact same conversation with FAU - I don't hate the prospect but I simply could not build a scenario where he was a guy I wanted at that pick. And when it happened, there were guys I preferred on the board so I wasn't a huge fan of the pick.

That's going to be the case here if we go with McConkey.

I am extremely high on McConkey and 32 is the earliest I’d take him. I think we are all looking at this the wrong way though.

The LT issue is by far the biggest on the team. I think if Wanya Morris was a starting LT they wouldn’t have bolted for Donovan Smith to come back. I think that Raiders game really exposed him and as much as I like his athleticism and size, he’s a swing tackle.

I can’t get over how loaded this tackle class is. It’s as good for us as it ever has been. I think one of Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton will be there in the mid 20’s for a trade up. Alt, Fashanu, Fuaga, Latham and Fautanu will all be gone leaving them as OT6. You also have guys like Kingsley Suamataia, Patrick Paul and Jordan Morgan to compare to. There’s a myriad of options.

If they can just get a decent young LT for 5 years that would open up a ton of flexibility for us

You're preaching to the choir there Run...

Agreed. I'm almost certainly looking at OT in the 1st unless it just gets brutally massacred and I don't think it will get hit SO hard that neither Morgan or Suamataia are there.

Hence my general disdain for the McConkey pick. Well that and I'm not super high on him; he looks like a pure floor player to me. But mostly it's just that I think OT will stack up as well or better but won't have those kinds of options at the back of 2, whereas WR will.

Gaming the draft to go OT in 1 and WR in 2 works better than the inverse, IMO. Amegadjie and maybe Paul (though unlikely he gets there) are the only 2 guys I really see as '2nd round' OTs likely to make it to us. Anybody else is an unreasonable fall or a reach, IMO.

It's a much broader group at WR. So playing the odds, if I want two contributors in Year 1 with long-term potential, I would almost certainly go OT/WR in that order.

But with the players you mentioned, you're not guaranteed to get a plug and play starter...you're drafting guys that are projected to play G, RT, or need development...aka what you already have.

Now I'll give you Mims, I just don't think he'll be there close enough to even go up for.

I also believe the value proposition in taking the 5th, 6th, or 7th best WR is a lot more than taking the 7th or 8th best tackle but again...that's just me.

Indeed...

I don't think Kingsley or Morgan are as unlikely to start at OT at some point this season as you think. I'm not certain I'd call either surefire day 1 starters, but I think they're pretty safe bets.

The Kingsley one is weird...I'm seeing mocked a lot in the 2nd round but I don't exactly see anything wild sticking out that might cause him to drop...?

I don't get it.

What does McConkey do significantly better than the guys who will be available in the 2nd?

I agree - bring back Donovan Smith while they develop. Chiefs are a prime landing spot for someone who has all the talent and desire but lacks the development.

What is the point of taking a tackle in the draft if you don't intend them to start?

This team already has Wanya Morris. If you're not taking a tackle that you believe can start on day one at LT, then just sign Donovan Smith.

You think said OT can start at some point in 2024 and beyond.

I don't think Morris is that guy.

If the organization does, they won't take an OT in the 1st. For the reasons you stated - there are no turnkey day 1 starting OTs likely to be there at 32. Though I think there are some with a chance to start, if the organization likes Morris they won't think that chance is appreciably higher than Morris has.

I just don't. So I'd rather go with someone like Morgan or Kingsley who I think will be better than Morris almost immediately and certainly long-term.

In the interim, you bring Smith back as insurance.

McConkey's film doesn't pop. Skyy's film didn't pop either. I'm in the underwhelmed group. I've never been a fan of players that I have to sell myself on post-pick. In that vein, McConkey would join CEH, Skyy, FAU, Kinnard, and Kaindoh in terms of the most recent classes.

I like the idea of McConkey lined up next to Kelce, Hollywood, and Rice (provided his dumb ass isn't suspended) more than the idea of "just" taking McConkey, if that makes sense.

His speed is just "alright", especially in this offense, but his route running ability and splits are damned near elite and play very well with Mahomes feeding him the ball.

This is why I think Amarius Mims or Tyler Guyton are probably the best bet at LT. They’re gonna have to trade up.

I mean the same argument would apply to FAU - they clearly didn't intend for him to start last year. "Why take him?"

Well, because he was the top guy on your board and you think he'll start someday.

I think he's a significantly better route runner than most of those guys, but there's not a huge difference in talent overall. If you take him at 32, it's because he's ready to play, and play a lot, right now. He's a safe bet to be a good player, especially when paired with a QB like Pat.

Now when you change that to specifically guys that will be available at the very end of the 2nd round, I'd say he's probably a significantly better prospect than most of the guys that will be available. Doesn't mean there won't be one that's relatively close though. It's a deep draft.

After signing Brown, I’m okay if they draft Ladd. We all bitched last year how receivers weren’t getting open and Ladd looks great at getting separation.

I think Ladd would be a great fit and have said so in other threads. I think we go OT in first round, or if we trade out of 32 take Ladd if he's available in the early 2nd after a trade. IF we took him at 32, I think he will be a solid 1st year contributor, but a little of a reach.