McConkey has been one of the league’s top rookie receivers.
The New England Patriots went into the 2024 NFL Draft looking to weaponize their offense. After drafting quarterback Drake Maye in the first round, the focus shifted to the wide receiver position.
Holding the No. 34 overall pick atop the second round, Eliot Wolf’s first draft day trade saw him send the selection to the Los Angeles Chargers along with pick No. 137. In return, New England received selections No. 37 and 110.
After the Chargers moved up to draft wide receiver Ladd McConkey and used the later selection on cornerback Tarheeb Still, who ranks near the top of defensive rookie of the year odds, the Patriots used their two selections on receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. The young duo was projected to pair well with Maye’s skillset and grow with the quarterback to help New England’s offense.
With two games left in the season, the opposite has occurred. Polk has managed just 12 catches for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Last week, Polk saw his playing time decreased to just three snaps. Baker is still looking for his first NFL catch.
The same can not be said for the Chargers, as McConkey leads the team with 69 receptions, 960 yards, and five touchdowns — making the Patriots’ rookie struggles sting that much more.
“We did some work on him [in the draft],” head coach Jerod Mayo said Thursday. “A guy that can get open versus man-to-man coverage. Look, he’s playing well right now. He also does a good job finding space in the zone coverages. He’s definitely a player you got to keep your eye on.”
New England will now get an even closer look at McConkey this week, as the Chargers travel to Foxboro for a Week 17 matchup. Slowing him down, whether he aligns in the slot or on the outside, will be a key focus for the defense.
“They move him around,” defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said of McConkey on Thursday. “Yes, it is in the slot. I would say he’s definitely a go-to guy player for them. For a rookie, he’s playing really, really well. Good quickness. Good route runner. They will him around, motion him. He’s definitely be a point-of-attack guy for Saturday.”
Despite being used mostly along the outside at the University of Georgia, McConkey’s projection to be used mostly in the slot may have been what shied New England away in the draft.
Just under 6-feet, 185 pounds, McConkey has gone on to play over 70 percent of his snaps along the inside — a staple spot for Pop Douglas in New England’s. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-1 Polk has primarily been used on the outside in bigger personnel groupings.
While the duo’s combined production and playing time does not even come close to McConkey’s, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is not ready to write either player off after just one season.
“That’s tough. Like I’ve said before with [Polk], coming in as a rookie you don’t always light it up in your first year. It takes some time to adjust to the pro game,” Van Pelt said. “Again, tons of confidence in Polk. Baker as well. Excited to get those guys going. If we can get it this year, great. If not, an offseason to help them learning the system.
“Sometimes, things don’t go your way. You just have to prove yourself out of it. That’s what we continue to encourage with Polk. But not down on him at all.”