For the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills are in Indianapolis. Choosing a wide receiver should be the Bills’ main goal in the 2024 NFL Draft, even if it is unknown who the team will choose in the opening round.
The Bills should select Ladd McConkey of Georgia if he is available at No. 28. Joe Brady, the offensive coordinator, could “instantly deploy” McConkey, according to Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News.Choosing the 22-year-old prospect would accomplish three goals: he wouldn’t join the Kansas City Chiefs, he would play slot receiver as a rookie and outside-inside receiver in 2025.
“No, seriously, that’s how I’m considering boarding the Ladd Train. You are aware that McConkey would benefit quarterback Patrick Mahomes right now. Make him a Josh Allen asset right away.
The Bills require a second pass-catching weapon since Gabe Davis is anticipated to enter free agency. If the Chiefs want to win three straight Super Bowls, they must make improvements at wide receiver. Veteran Marquez Valdez-Scantling has already been released by Kansas City.
The Chiefs at No. 32 may select the receiver the Bills pass on at No. 28. In their mock draft, The 33rd Team forecasts McConkey to end up with the Chiefs. “The Bills will be better this year if he does the job for them and not the Chiefs,” O’Halloran speculated.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic also pushed Buffalo to choose a new weapon for Allen in the draft. “Having [Stefon] Diggs and [Khalil] Shakir at wide receiver probably won’t require a total overhaul, but they really need to acquire a player who can actually test defenses deep into the game to help open up the intermediate game for Diggs, [Dalton] Kincaid, and others.”
“Ladd McConkey will be this year’s Puka!” NFL expert Kirk Herbstreit wrote on Twitter on March 2 after seeing McConkey play at the NFL Combine. Puka Nacua, a Rams receiver selected in the fifth round of the draft, broke new records for receiving yards (1,486) and catches (105) as a rookie in the NFL.
The 5-foot-11 1/2, 186-pound receiver was rated as the sixth-best receiver going into the draft by Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus. Sikkema stated, “McConkey is one of the best route runners in this class.” But in contrast to certain preconceived notions, he possesses good long speed in addition to his rapid speed. Because of his stature, he is an elite slot player, but because of his all-around quickness, he is also a more flexible player.
Despite an ankle ailment, McConkey managed to collect 30 catches for 478 yards and two scores in nine games during the previous season. He caught 58 passes for 762 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 games in 2022.
McConkey, who played for the Bulldogs and won two national titles, was well-liked by ESPN commentator Mel Kiper. “Ladd McConkey has a strong flying ability. Kiper remarked, “Ladd McConkey catches everything.” “[He is] ready to use… I believe Ladd makes it in there [in the first round]. I genuinely don’t believe that Ladd McConkey’s performance in the first round was a farce. It is true.
On his second try at the Combine, McConkey ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds. Several experts described his performance in the gauntlet as seamless after seeing it.
According to McConkey’s remarks at the combine, McDermott has a history of favoring versatile players and believes that he is capable of handling any offensive role.
“I believe I can play on special teams, the outside, and in running routes. I believe I am quite adaptable and capable of doing a variety of tasks.
“At Georgia, he lined up outside WR 72% of the time and 28% in the slot his 2 years as a starter,” wrote Greg Thompsett of Cover 1.
Additionally, McDermott is searching for a candidate who can start working right away. With so many rookies participating and making significant plays throughout the league, McDermott told reporters, “it’s a young man’s game right now.”
“I believe I can play on special teams, the outside, and in running routes. I believe I am quite adaptable and capable of doing a variety of tasks.
“At Georgia, he lined up outside WR 72% of the time and 28% in the slot his 2 years as a starter,” wrote Greg Thompsett of Cover 1.
Additionally, McDermott is searching for a candidate who can start working right away. With so many rookies participating and making significant plays throughout the league, McDermott told reporters, “it’s a young man’s game right now.”
throughout their genetic makeup.
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