In a talent showcase there are winners and losers. One winner at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine among the wide receivers was Georgia Bulldog Ladd McConkey.

McConkey was on a lot of lists as a potential “sleeper”, but his combine performance shattered that notion and hinted at an improved draft status. McConkey came in at just a hair under 6 foot tall, 186 pounds, and ran a 4.39 40. His broad jump was 10’4″, he added a 36″ vertical jump, and did 13 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench press. His Relative Athletic Score came in at 8.84 with “poor” size, good explosiveness, and great speed. His RAS was better than Jets WR Garrett Wilson.

The comparison with Wilson is apt. Same height, a difference in weight of 3 lbs (in McConkey’s favor), a 0.01 second differential in the 40 time, 1″ different in the broad jump, and the exact same vertical. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com pointed out the comparison between McConkey and Wilson and others have suggested Puka Nacua. What makes those comparisons important is that Wilson won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and Nacua was runner up in 2023.

McConkey may prove in 2024 that he should remain in their company.