Breaking: Patriots Get a Second Chance at Ladd McConkey: New England to Face Off Against Former Draft Target

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.”