A Patriots Fans's Draft Wish List: WR Ladd McConkey
Michael Hickey. Getty Images.In case you missed it, last week I wrote a blog putting South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette on my Patriots draft bridal registry. And if you did miss it, you have my deepest sympathies because it was the finest example of English literature since all those books telling everyone how to be a good husband and father written by Bill Cosby.
The only problem with my otherwise perfect prose is that there is no guarantee Legette will be available when the Pats are on the board with the second pick Friday evening. And I'm not one of those draft nerds predicting they'll be moving up from the 34th pick into the 1st round. There are simply too many roster holes to fill to start bundling picks for any one guy. And I expect them to be operating in a target-rich environment of second-tier receivers. According to NFL Mock Draft Database's numbers, there are no less than seven wideouts expected to come off the board between Nos. 29 and 48. So it's anybody's guess as to what order they'll go. Therefore, I'm giving myself options. And here's a most excellent one in case Legette doesn't fall to them:
Ladd McConkey, Georgia. 6-foot-0, 186 pounds. 4.39 40-time, 1.52 split, 36" vertical
If this was say, 2019, McConkey-to-New England would be the running gag of Draft Season, alongside such evergreen gems as "You know Belichick is going to trade back to get every pick in the 2nd round" and "He's going to draft a long snapper from Rutgers," wakka wakka.
In McConkey's case it would work. First because Georgia was such a feeder program for Belichick. Second, his game tape makes him look like the newest version of the slot receiver they always ran the Erhardt-Perkins offense through. That he'd be the iWes Welker 15 Pro Max we'd be upgrading to in order to give Tom Brady someone who could exploit the middle of defenses with pivots, jukes and option routes.
But with McConkey, looks can be deceiving. Despite him looking like that type of receiver:
… he lined up outside the numbers more and more as his Bulldogs career went on. As a freshman, he was in the slot almost half the time. In the next two seasons, he never hit 25%. And in his last season, he posted a career high 16.1 YPC to go along with a catch percentage of 81.1%, despite missing the early part of the season with a back issue and the end with an ankle injury. And his passer rating when targeted was an impressive 124.4.
In other traits the Patriots have historically valued, he won multiple awards for community service and the William V. Campbell Trophy, otherwise referred to as "the Academic Heisman." Granted, all this was before. And we have no handle on how the Eliot Wolf regime values talent. But so far The Wolf:
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… doesn't seem to be deviating from past practices very much. If at all. And they have with him. But like a true Patriots prospect who knows how business is done around here, McConkey is only giving his name, rank and serial number:
So one can easily see him bringing in McConkey and letting Alex Van Pelt figure out how best to utilize him.
Positives: McConkey's strongest suit is his footwork. He's got a refined running style, with the clean breaks to turn defenders, and the proper use of leverage to gain separation, from both the slot and outside:
He also adds long speed to his short-area quickness that produces yards after the catch. In addition, he was used quite a bit as a blocker in the running game, particularly in short yardage situations. Though he's still maxing out at less than 190 lbs, so lets not expect the next Hines Ward. He also has experience as a kick returner. And reportedly is a huge film room guy who studies how to set up and defeat opponents. So there's a lot here to like.
Negatives: The aforementioned injuries last year jump right out at you. As well as his size, obviously. So it's fair to ask whether he'll be able to defeat press coverage at the next level. Though to me, the key to that is polished route running to keep corners off balance, and he seems to check that box. Still, he projects as more of a slot or Z-receiver than the true boundary-X this roster is lacking. Whereas they're already looking at a wide receiver room with those types in Demario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne.
The Generic Equivalent of: John Metchie III
I think Legette is a better talent. But assuming whatever new offense will operate anything like the old one, there's always room for a guy with McConkey's profile.