Wide receiver is one of the stronger positions in the 2024 NFL Draft, and one wideout who has received first-round projections in mock drafts is Georgia’s Ladd McConkey. McConkey made some big plays in helping the Bulldogs win back-to-back National Championships, and he received a lot of media attention during his career. That has led to some putting him in the first round of mock drafts, but sources from seven different NFL teams told WalterFootball.com that none of them had a first-round grade on McConkey. They all had him on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
While all seven of them had him graded on the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft, they all said they liked McConkey and thought he would be a good pick on Day 2. Some of them have McConkey as a target on Friday night of the 2024 NFL Draft. There were a few issues that caused teams not to project McConkey to the first round. At 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, McConkey is undersized for the NFL, and he had injury issues at Georgia, including in the 2023 season. Being undersized and having durability concerns are the issues that weigh McConkey down. Otherwise teams love his route-running and playmaking ability.
In my latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft I have McConkey going early in the second round. Some sources said they had him more as a late second- or early third-rounder. Others thought the second round is where he would and should go. McConkey’s medical exam will be important to help ease concerns about his durability for the NFL. The 2024 NFL Draft is loaded at wide receiver, so while McConkey may not go in Round 1, teams are interested in taking him on Day 2.
