COSTA MESA — The Chargers got their wide receiver, after all.
They traded up to select wide receiver Ladd McConkey of the University of Georgia with the 34th selection in the NFL draft on Friday, swapping two picks with the New England Patriots. The Chargers got the 34th and 137th selections and sent the Patriots the 37th and 110th picks.
McConkey will be a key addition to a thin wide receiver corps that lost veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as salary cap casualties last month. Allen, who set a franchise record for receptions in the 2023 season, was traded to the Chicago Bears. Williams, coming off a knee injury, was released.
Instead of selecting a wide receiver in the first round Thursday, the Chargers opted to pick Joe Alt, a left tackle from Notre Dame. They could have drafted any one of a number of standout receivers, including Malik Nabers of LSU or Rome Odunze of the University of Washington.
The Chargers wasted zero time pursuing a receiver in the second round, though.
“We were talking about him (Friday),” Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said of McConkey. “We were watching some film on him. That’s one of the things that pops on film about him, just how good he is, how he sets up routes. The quarterback knows where he’s going to be.”
McConkey, listed at 6-foot and 185 pounds, caught 30 passes for 478 yards, an average of 15.9 yards per catch, and two touchdowns in eight games last season for the Bulldogs. He is said to be a strong route runner with good speed, capable of breaking routine pass plays for long gains.
McConkey’s versatility was one of the things that attracted the Chargers to him. He often lined up as an outside receiver while at Georgia, but he also could be used as a slot receiver with the Chargers. He also could return punts, although wide receiver Derius Davis filled that role last season.
“They have a great offense, great quarterback,” McConkey said, referring to Justin Herbert. “I’m just excited to get out there and meet all of the guys and get to work, honestly. … Just watching (Herbert’s) game, it comes easy to him. He can make any and every throw. I’m excited to get there, get in rhythm with him, show what I can do and gain his trust.”
The Chargers next took Michigan linebacker Junior Colson in the third round (69th overall), filling a need at the position with one of Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s former Wolverines. Colson was a key player on Michigan’s undefeated national championship team in 2023.
“Man, everything, man,” Colson said of reuniting with Harbaugh. “I went to Michigan for a reason, and he was that reason. He picked me again. I believe I’ll fit into (the defensive scheme) very easily. It’ll be easy to get in and get to work … and compete for a starting spot right away.”
Colson said he anticipated battling for and winning a starting spot.
“Yes, sir,” he said. “I feel I can be a starter. I’m ready for it.”
Colson also will be reunited with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who held the same job with Michigan before joining Harbaugh in Los Angeles. In addition, new Chargers linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman also coached Colson at Michigan before following Harbaugh.
Bowman joined the beat writers’ Zoom call with Colson, politely interrupting the question-and-answer session to tell his former and perhaps future standout linebacker, “I stood on the table from Day 1 for you.” Said Colson: “I’m already on my way, let’s make it happen.”
The draft concludes Saturday at 9 a.m. (PT) with the fourth through seventh rounds conducted. The Chargers have six picks remaining, including two each in the fifth and seventh rounds. Their final selections are Nos. 105, 137, 140, 181, 225 and 253 overall.
