What Ladd McConkey NFL draft outlook further shows about Kirby Smart, Georgia

Before Georgia stepped in with a late scholarship offer two weeks before National Signing Day, Ladd McConkey was a no-star recruit with no Power Five scholarship offers.

Three years later, the wide receiver is one of the Bulldogs’ top prospects for the 2024 NFL draft.

While he hasn’t garnered anywhere near the media draft buzz as other top draft prospects at wide receiver, NFL scouts have told On3 that McConkey is currently viewed as a top three round prospect for the 2024 draft.

Scouts look at McConkey as being among Georgia’s top 2024 draft prospects outside of players such as tight end Brock Bowers, offensive tackle Amarius Mims and defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse.

“He’s probably going to be one of the top slot receivers in the draft,” an NFL scout told On3.

Although Georgia receives more attention for all of the highly-ranked prospects it’s landing each year, McConkey’s NFL draft outlook further shows that Kirby Smart and his staff also continue to do a great job from an evaluation standpoint and with finding (and developing) some diamonds in the rough.

Of the 20 two- or three-star recruits it signed from 2017-21, 12 have started at least one game, nine have been full-time starters and four (soon-to-be more) have been top four round NFL draft picks.

The three thus far to go from three-star recruit to being picked in the first four rounds of the NFL draft have been: Cornerback and 2021 first-round NFL draft pick Eric Stokes, linebacker and 2021 third-round selection Monty Rice, defensive lineman and 2022 first-round pick Jordan Davis and quarterback and 2023 fourth-round selection Stetson Bennett.

As for McConkey, at least some scouts believe he could end up being picked in the first two rounds next year.

A 2022 All-SEC second-team selection, McConkey tied with Bowers for the team-lead with seven touchdown catches. He ranked second behind the tight end with 58 catches and 762 receiving yards. 

The 6-foot, 185-pound McConkey has also tested out well at Georgia. Word is that he has been timed sub-4.5 in the 40-yard dash at Georgia while recording a vertical jump of about 38 inches and a 10-plus foot broad jump.

“He’s little, but he’s more explosive than some of these traditional slot receivers that are quicker than fast,” an NFL scout said. “He’s quick but also fast and explosive. Love his body control. And he shows up every time you watch him.”