Ladd McConkey

Ladd McConkey enters 2026 as one of the more interesting bounce-back bets in fantasy football after a sophomore season that was solid but short of the breakout many managers hoped for. He finished 2025 with 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets, a clear step back from his rookie-year production, but his age and role still point to upside rather than decline.

The biggest reason for optimism is the offense around him. Los Angeles is expected to have a new play-caller in Mike McDaniel, and recent fantasy analysis suggests that change could help McConkey rediscover the efficiency he showed as a rookie, especially if the team leans into his slot usage and intermediate-area route work. That matters because McConkey’s best fantasy outcomes usually come when he is used as a high-volume, high-percentage target rather than as a low-variance perimeter threat.

There is still some competition for targets, with Quentin Johnston, tight end Oronde Gadsden, and younger receivers Tre’ Harris and Brenen Thompson all in the mix, but McConkey is still viewed as the highest-upside receiver in the room and the likeliest lead target-earner. Keenan Allen remains unsigned, and if that stays true, it would further strengthen McConkey’s path to a larger slot role and steadier weekly volume.

For fantasy purposes, McConkey looks like a strong WR2 target with realistic WR1 upside if the new offense clicks and the target share is there. Projection models and expert consensus from fantasy outlets point to a rebound year in the neighborhood of roughly 77 catches, 987 yards, and about 6–7 touchdowns, which would make him a very usable starter in all formats and a potential buy-low in dynasty leagues.

Updated 06/08/2026