Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was selected at the beginning of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to make a significant impact right away after the organization moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this offseason. The veteran trio was responsible for most of L.A.'s receiving production over the last few seasons, so there are big holes to fill in Justin Herbert's offense. According to Herbert, McConkey has excelled right away. "He's just picked up the offense so easily. It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game." The Georgia product didn't have impressive numbers in college, but he was sharing the field with standout tight end Brock Bowers in a run-heavy offense and dealt with several injuries. If he becomes Herbert's go-to target right away, he has at least weekly flex appeal and WR2 upside in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey signed his four-year rookie deal on Monday. The 22-year-old was selected with the No. 34 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played 39 games at Georgia, starting 21, and totaled 119 catches for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had four more scores on the run. McConkey has received positive reviews from teammates this offseason, and with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer on the roster, the rookie is worth considering late in fantasy drafts heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was very impressed with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey during offseason workouts, and the second-rounder displayed the most potential throughout the offseason program with his precise route-running and sudden quickness in tight spaces. "It's like he's been a four- or five-year vet," Herbert said. "He understands the game. He understands leverage. He's a smart player, and he's very athletic. I'm really looking forward to getting him the ball." McConkey is gaining steam in dynasty/keeper leagues and could even be worth a late-round flier for receiver depth in deeper redraft leagues this fall if he continues to look good when the pads go on in training camp. There is opportunity in LA's receiver room with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer in town.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) "has been on a really good track" and is "likely" to be back for training camp at the end of July. Edwards worked off to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, but it's worth monitoring his health this summer as he enters his first season in LA. With Austin Ekeler gone, Edwards should be the primary RB in the Bolts' backfield in what will be a run-first offense under new coordinator Greg Roman. Behind him will be J.K. Dobbins, rookie Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller. Edwards isn't much of a pass-catcher and has durability issues, but he managed a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in Baltimore in 2023. Don't expect double-digit TDs in his first year in LA, though.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Chargers officially signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Joe Alt to a four-year, $33.2 million deal on Monday after he was selected fifth overall in April's NFL draft. Alt was predictably the first offensive tackle off the board in 2024. Although he should eventually be a starting left tackle in the NFL, he'll initially start at right tackle in Los Angeles under new head coach Jim Harbaugh in LA with Rashawn Slater at left tackle. The Bolts are hoping Alt will be part of a much-improved offensive line this year with an added emphasis on the ground game to take pressure off of young quarterback Justin Herbert. The 21-year-old Alt hails out of Notre Dame and stands at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds. Alt showed in his college career that he can excel in both run-blocking and in pass protection.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent TE Nick Vannett (Chargers) agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans Monday, May 13. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The team also waived CB Rod Gattison.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent tight end Nick Vannett is signing with the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers and caught one pass for three yards in eight games played. Vannett is a former third-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2016 and has spent time with seven organizations in seven years. Overall, he's hauled in 91 of his 130 career targets for 877 yards and six touchdowns. He'll likely compete with 2023 fifth-round pick Josh Whyle for the TE2 role in 2024, but Chigoziem Okonkwo remains the lead tight end for quarterback Will Levis after this signing.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed free agent wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a one-year, $5 million contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Chark reportedly visited with the Chargers prior to last week's NFL Draft. He could play a key role in Los Angeles after the team parted with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason. Right now, their current depth chart is headlined by Chark, Quentin Johnston, and Joshua Palmer, as well as up-and-coming rookies Ladd McConkey and Brenden Rice. Chark spent last season with the Carolina Panthers, catching 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns over the course of 15 games. While the Chargers lack a true alpha receiver at the moment, they have plenty of raw talent at the position, which could make it difficult for Chark to carve out a role. For now, fantasy managers should monitor his performance throughout training camp before they consider selecting him in drafts later this summer.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent WR DJ Chark Jr. (Panthers) has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, according to sources.

Fantasy Spin: Chark has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play throughout his career, but he has shown the ability to stretch the field. The Chargers' receiving room isn't exactly loaded with proven options, and Chark could emerge as a big-play option for Justin Herbert.

From TheHuddle

The Los Angeles Chargers officially picked up left tackle Rashawn Slater's fifth-year option for the 2025 season on Thursday. Slater, who was taken with the 13th overall pick in 2021 out of Northwestern, was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season before playing in just three games in 2022 due to a torn biceps. The 25-year-old returned last year to start all 17 games for the Chargers while protecting quarterback Justin Herbert's blind side. The Bolts added offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in this year's draft, but he will shift over to right tackle as long as Slater remains healthy. If he returns to his rookie-year form and Alt lives up to his draft stock, LA's new run-first offense should be in excellent shape to begin the Jim Harbaugh era in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in 2023 while with the Baltimore Ravens, said he's "100 percent now." Dobbins had 805 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 134 carries for the Ravens in his rookie year. But since then, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2021, played in just eight games in 2022 with another knee injury and missed all of last year with his Achilles tear. He'll be joining former Ravens RB Gus Edwards and offensive coordinator Greg Roman in LA in 2024. The familiarity with Roman is definitely good for Dobbins as he attempts to return from yet another devastating injury, but the presence of Edwards and Dobbins' extensive injury history will make him a pretty big fantasy risk with the Bolts. At best, the 25-year-old will probably be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Los Angeles Chargers drafted USC wide receiver Brenden Rice in the 7th round of the 2024 NFL Draft Dynasty Analysis: Rice dropped all the way down to the seventh round before being taken by the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a tough turn of events as he'll have an uphill climb for a roster spot. He's easy to root for as the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice but it's hard to see him making an impact in the NFL any time soon. Rice is a watch list candidate or late round dart throw in rookie drafts at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

The Los Angeles Chargers exercised the 2025 fifth-year option on left tackle Rashawn Slater on Saturday, according to a source. Slater and Joe Alt, the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, will now bookend the team's offensive line for quarterback Justin Herbert going forward. This one comes as no surprise as new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman look to shore up the team's offensive line with a new emphasis on the ground game in 2024 and beyond. Slater graded out as Pro Football Focus' fourth-best pass-blocking offensive lineman on Herbert's blind side. The addition of Alt to the right side should only strengthen Herbert's protection while also being good news for LA's ground game.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | After getting a new left tackle in round one, Justin Herbert's stock continues to rise as the Chargers trade up for Ladd McConkey. Dynasty Analysis: Even after the team used it's fifth overall pick to protect Herbert's blindside, skepticism remained due to a lack of weaponry. But the Chargers moved up three spots to acquire a new top pass catcher (and Keenan Allen replacement in the slot), Ladd McConkey. The Chargers likely aren't done building the offense around Herbert, but with just those two draft picks, the franchise has made their quarterback a dynasty value. DLF's QB6 has QB1 overall upside with his own skillset and a little help from his supporting cast.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Ladd McConkey was drafted by the Chargers with the second pick of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: McConkey was taken early in the second round by the suddenly receiver-needy Chargers. A precise route runner with serious quickness, McConkey is going to be thrown into action early and often this season. He had a meteoric rise after the NFL Draft Combine and that, combined with a great landing spot, should keep him right around the turn of rounds one and two in rookie drafts.

From Dynasty League Fantasy