D.J. Chark is a sneaky wide receiver in a Chargers passing game that is being widely faded in fantasy football.
Chargers wide receiver D.J. Chark is running with the 1’s in training camp. This is welcome news to UnderDog drafters who have been selecting D.J. Chark late in drafts.
D.J. Chark is going off the board as WR-83 on UnderDog. Chark is a sneaky selection in round 17. The Chargers are expected to run the ball plenty in the Greg Roman offense, however there is value to mine in the Chargers passing game. For those who are out on the cost of Ladd McConkey at the 6-7 turn, Chark provides safety late in drafts. The benefit of selecting Chark is he will enter your best ball lineup multiple times in the WR-3 and flex spot as your 7th rostered wide receiver and beyond.
Recall that with the Jaguars when Dede Westbrook was supposed to breakout it was D.J. Chark, who was the wide receiver fantasy gamers wanted. When Jameson Williams was supposed to make his immediate mark in the NFL, it was D.J. Chark who stole rosterable weeks as an X receiver. Take advantage of the round 17 price on UnderDog and get those D.J. Chark numbers up.
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is ...
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey ...
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey is ...
Los Angeles Chargers 2nd Round pick is already wowing his teammates and coaches during 2024 camps.
Ladd McConkey, rookie WR of the Los Angeles Chargers, is pushing all the right buttons in his bid to become a force in the NFL. The 2nd Round pick who began college as a walk-on, obviously has the work ethic to succeed and it’s impressing his quarterback and coaches. During the Chargers’ OTA’s and minicamp, Justin Herbert noticed that McConkey comes off as “a four or five-year-vet. He understands the game…leverage, he’s a smart player…and very athletic. I’m really looking forward to getting him the ball.” OC Greg Roman noted that McConkey has been very quick to pick things up, has a great attitude and displays the traits “you look for.”
Dynasty owners who have been deep-diving the analytics are already sold on McConkey. Primarily a slot-receiver at Georgia, McConkey was 3rd in the 2024 WR class in 1st downs per route run, 3rd in yards per route against zone coverages, and 4th in the class in yards after the catch per reception, as well as missed tackles forced per reception. To go along with his athleticism and his, according to Roman, “speed, the quickness, the ability to change direction and catch the ball, make plays with the ball in his hands,” all of these are traits that some analysts would refer to as a “QB’s (or OC’s) Best Friend.” McConkey will be open…a lot.
Likely the most important factor in McConkey’s path to stardom will be his target share. The Chargers finished 2023 at 5-12 and brought in the Harbaugh regime which includes Roman as OC. As well, target leader Keenan Allen is gone, as are Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett, 2nd and 3rd in targets, respectively. Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer return, however they combined for fewer targets than Allen in 2023. Considering that Allen played out of the slot almost 60% of the time, McConkey will be the perfect replacement. A 120 target season for McConkey is realistic, and if things break right, he could challenge Puka Nacua and Garrett Wilson’s rookie records.
The Los Angeles Chargers have drafted wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Los Angeles Chargers have drafted wide receiver Ladd McConkey with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6’0” 180 lbs former Georgia wide receiver played 9 games for the Bulldogs in 2023 recording 30 receptions for 478 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ladd McConkey is FAST, a burner off the line, McConkey is dangerous after the catch, he is also good in the intermediate routes. McConkey is also an incredible separator, He won’t win much downfield or win many contested catches but he should start immediately as the Chargers slot receiver. McConkey will make an immediate impact in a wide receiver room that was depleted this offseason.
Ladd McConkey had quite the combine and should rise up draft boards fast.
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.
