Senior Bowl practices are underway with the big game set to kick off on Saturday, February 3rd. Widely regarded as one of the most important parts of the scouting process leading up to the NFL Draft, one prospect has reportedly stolen the show thus far. According to just about everyone, Ladd McConkey looks like a man amongst boys, routinely torching cornerbacks and winning all of his reps. There is no such thing as too many good wide receivers in today’s pass-happy NFL, and you can guarantee that his Senior Bowl performance has put him on the radar of all 32 organizations.
Ladd McConkey's Red Zone 1-on-1's were comedy
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— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) February 1, 2024
A lot can happen between now and the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, but it’s safe to assume that the Georgia product will be a top-40 selection. Most mock drafts have Ladd McConkey going off the board in that general range, and this Senior Bowl performance should only elevate his stock. He’ll never be on Marvin Harrison Jr’s level, but it’s safe to assume that any team picking in the back of the first round or early in the second round will be interested in adding him to their roster. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the teams picking in that general area and see which five are the best fits.
5 Teams That Could Draft Senior Bowl Standout Ladd McConkey, Ranked
5. Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals currently hold the fourth and 27th selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. If the Cardinals use the fourth pick on Marvin Harrison Jr., then they probably won’t select Ladd McConkey, no matter how impressive his Senior Bowl is. However, if the Patriots decide to draft Harrison over LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, then McConkey is in play. This team showed some life once Kyler Murray returned to action, and they’re not too far away from being in the Wild Card hunt. However, they’ll need someone to catch the ball, especially since Marquise Brown is set to hit free agency. Rondale Moore is nothing more than a fun gadget player, but McConkey has the potential to be a true threat all over the field.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens knocked it out of the park with the Zay Flowers selection. However, they could still use another receiver. Odell Beckham is a free agent, and even if the team re-signs him, he’s not a long-term solution at the position. Rashod Bateman, meanwhile, showed some signs of life early in his career but didn’t do much of anything in 2023. Ladd McConkey is a perfect fit for this type of offense and the Senior Bowl standout should immediately develop a rapport with Lamar Jackson.
3. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers need all the help they can get at the wide receiver position. Unfortunately, they do not have a first-round pick, so they’ll need to find other ways to address the position. With all due respect to the aging Adam Thielen, McConkey would immediately be the best receiver on this roster and could help save Bryce Young’s career. The only question is whether or not Ladd McConkey will still be on the board in the second round after his impressive Senior Bowl practices.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are about to enter salary cap hell, but as long as Josh Allen is under center, this team will always be in the thick of the Super Bowl race. Stefon Diggs is showing signs of slowing down, and there isn’t a single reliable receiver on the roster. If the Senior Bowl is an indication, Ladd McConkey was what it takes to make a Day 1 impact and could start right out of the gate. In the short term, McConkey can be second-fiddle to Diggs before earning the top spot in this passing attack in 2025.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is back in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in his short career, and this latest run to the Lombardi shows that this team is considerably more dangerous with two high-level weapons. Rashee Rice looks like a star in the making, but this offense struggled in the regular season as Travis Kelce appeared to show signs of age. However, the tight end came to life in January and is a big reason why this team made it out of the divisional round. Ladd McConkey probably won’t ever be a Kelce-caliber player, but adding a second reliable receiving option to the passing attack is vital for the long-term success of the organization. Kelce is 34 and dating the most famous woman in the world – how many more years of this can he possibly have left in his tank?
Main Photo: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
