COSTA MESA — The Chargers got their wide receiver, after all.
They traded up to select wide receiver Ladd McConkey out of the University of Georgia with the 34th selection in the NFL draft on Friday, swapping two picks with the New England Patriots. The Chargers got the 34th and 137th selections and sent the Patriots the 37th and 110th picks.
McConkey will be a key addition to a thin wide receiver corps that lost veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as salary cap casualties last month. Allen, who set a franchise record for receptions in the 2023 season, was traded to the Chicago Bears. Williams, coming off a knee injury, was released.
The 6-foot, 185-pound McConkey caught 30 passes for 478 yards, an average of 15.9 yards per catch, and two touchdowns in eight games last season for the Bulldogs. He is said to be a strong route runner with good speed, capable of breaking routine pass plays for long gains.
The Chargers also have a third-round selection later tonight.
With their first-round selection on Thursday, the Chargers picked left tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame, passing up the chance to select a standout wide receiver and opting instead to take “the best player available” at No. 5. Alt will provide considerable depth on the offensive line next season and beyond.
In addition to blocking in the running game, Alt also will be counted on to be a protector for standout quarterback Justin Herbert.
McConkey said he looked forward to meeting Herbert and forging a bond.
“They (the Chargers) have a great offense, a great quarterback,” McConkey said. “Just watching his game, it comes easy to him. I’m excited to get out there and show what I can do and see how I fit. … They wanted me and they came up and got me (with a trade with the Patriots).”
More to come on this story.
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