Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was a big winner of the 2024 NFL Draft after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick to play with quarterback Justin Herbert. According to Chargers.com writer Eric Smith, McConkey and Herbert are developing strong chemistry this offseason. "As for Herbert's favorite target Tuesday, that seemed to be rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey," Smith wrote. "Herbert had eight total reps in 11-on-11 drills midway through practice, with five of those plays being passes.McConkey caught two of them as he continued to show a strong rapport with No. 10.The Bolts second-round pick later caught two other passes in full-team drills, both of which came when McConkey was working over the middle of the field." With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departing this offseason, McConkey has a clear path to the No. 1 wide receiver role. Quentin Johnston was a complete bust in Year 1, while veteran Joshua Palmer profiles as a No. 3 option. Fantasy managers should be careful not to fall for "rookie hype," but McConkey could have legitimate weekly flex appeal in his rookie campaign.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee), who has been rehabbing a knee injury that kept him out of six games last year, said he got the most repetitions of the offseason in Tuesday's organized team activities. After posting a career-best 58.1 receiving yards per game last year, Palmer's role is set to increase even more in 2024 now that both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen are out of town. However, he'll still be competing for targets with former first-rounder Quentin Johnston and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey, not to mention DJ Chark. The Bolts' offense is also transitioning to a run-first unit under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, so Palmer is far from a lock to break out this year. However, the 24-year-old's big-play ability makes him enticing as WR depth.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey is already developing a connection with quarterback Justin Herbert at organized team activities this week. McConkey played both inside and outside on Monday, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot. The 22-year-old from Georgia has a real opportunity to become a key piece of the Chargers' passing game in his rookie season with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams moving on in the offseason. He should start in three-wide sets with second-year wideout Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer, and McConkey's speed and versatility could make him a reliable target for Herbert. The Bolts figure to run the ball more under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but McConkey is in a situation to be worth taking a late-round flier on in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert already appears to be developing a nice connection with rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey played both inside and outside at organized team activities on Monday, with the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense coming out of the slot. All of the Bolts' offseason moves have led to Herbert's fantasy stock taking a pretty big hit as a QB1. The Chargers are expected to be a much more run-heavy offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, and Herbert also lost both top receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The 26-year-old signal-caller could still have big performances, especially if LA's offensive line provides more protection, but it's hard to argue that he'll have as much high-end upside in 2024.

The Los Angeles Chargers passed on drafting a wide receiver with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, which puts second-year wideout and former first-rounder Quentin Johnston in a spot to be the team's No. 1 entering the 2024 campaign. "We believe in it. He's a great kid, he's a great worker. Everyone here has a high opinion of him. I believe he's really going to launch. I really do. His skill set is great. We're gonna work with him, make him better and better," general manager Joe Hortiz said. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams left this offseason, leaving Johnson, who struggled with 38 catches on 67 targets for 431 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL season, with a much larger role in 2024. Johnston is certainly going to have more opportunities to produce for the Chargers and fantasy managers, but the 22-year-old is going to need to gain more separation and clear up his issues with drops.