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Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey and former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette were selected only a couple of spots a part in the 2024 NFL Draft. McConkey went 34th overall to the Los Angeles Chargers, while Legette went two spots earlier at 32nd to the Carolina Panthers.
As a result, both receivers should be popular picks in rookie drafts this offseason. Both receivers could also immediately produce solid numbers in Year 1 on their new teams.
So, should you draft McConkey or Legette in rookie drafts? Let's dive in.
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Ladd McConkey Fantasy Football Outlook
McConkey didn't necessarily put up big numbers at Georgia over his three-year college career, only totaling 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns from 2021 to 2023. He also only caught 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns in his final college campaign. However, the talent is surely there from the 22-year-old.
Ladd McConkey’s footwork is INSANE 🤯 pic.twitter.com/r1rc6msMMN
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) April 30, 2024
Many NFL analysts said that McConkey is one of the best route runners in this class. His quick feet and good hands should make him an immediate target for quarterback Justin Herbert in the passing game. With the Chargers getting rid of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, the rookie should step in and have a big role in Year 1.
Xavier Legette Fantasy Football Outlook
Legette didn't really see much playing time in his first four college seasons at South Carolina. From 2019 to 2022, he only caught a combined 42 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-1 wideout finally broke out in his final college season, totaling 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Fair to question Xavier Legette’s slow start, but given the tough path he’s walked, Legette is a fave in my book. He’s a big bodied WR who’s a nightmare on slants and crossers, exactly the kind of target Bryce Young’s been waiting for. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/fnCBOVuF9n
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) April 30, 2024
As a result, Legette's draft stock rose heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Panthers traded up into the first round to select him at 32nd overall. The former South Carolina product will now step in as another target for young quarterback Bryce Young. He will, though, see some competition for targets with Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson both in Carolina as well.
Should I Draft McConkey or Legette?
If you are on the clock in a rookie draft and both wideouts are still on the board, you will have a tough choice to make. Both have the talent to be a reliable dynasty option for years to come. However, McConkey might be the better choice now and in the future, considering he will be tied to Herbert for the foreseeable future.
McConkey having Herbert as his quarterback should give him a higher ceiling every week than Legette. The Panthers wideout also took some time to get going in college, and if that is the case again in the NFL, it might take him a few years to produce solid numbers.
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