The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since 2018, yet the franchise has plenty of buzz entering head coach Jim Harbaugh’s third season. Following back-to-back 11-6 finishes with wild-card exits, the Bolts could take the next step, partially fueled by Mike McDaniel stepping in as the offensive coordinator.
McDaniel, who was head man of the Dolphins from 2022 to 2025, has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s best play-callers. That may help unlock several pieces on the offense, including QB Justin Herbert, WR Ladd McConkey, and RB Omarion Hampton.
Focusing on McConkey, the third-year wide receiver could be bound for a breakout campaign with McDaniel calling the plays. Below, we’ll look at why Ladd McConkey is a fantasy football sleeper, featuring NFLSZN projections via PrizePicks.
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Ladd McConkey 2026 Fantasy Football Projections
McConkey hasn’t been a slouch by any means over his first two campaigns. Following a standout 2024 rookie season with 82 receptions, 1,149 receiving yards, and 7 receiving TDs, he tallied 66 catches, 789 receiving yards, and 6 receiving TDs in 2025.
Last season featured 11.3 fantasy points per game (WR38) compared to 15.1 FPPG in his rookie year (WR19). Furthermore, McConkey logged 734 snaps in 2024, and 2025’s increase to 838 snaps didn’t provide a boost to production like most would expect.
Following his strong rookie season, McConkey’s average draft position (ADP) was 26th overall and WR11, per FantasyPros. The underwhelming 2025 campaign has contributed to his ADP dropping to 43rd overall and WR20 in 2026.
This could be a blessing in disguise, providing more opportunity for McConkey to surpass his ADP. We know the Chargers offense has hype with Mike McDaniel calling plays, but will that lead to fantasy football success for McConkey?
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Ladd McConkey Projections: 71.5 Receptions, 900.5 Receiving Yards
From 2022 to 2025, McDaniel’s offense in Miami featured a top-24 wide receiver in fantasy each season.
Even in last year’s 7-10 finish with the unit posting 20.4 PPG (25th), WR Jaylen Waddle was productive by recording 64 receptions, 910 receiving yards, and 6 receiving TDs. From 2022 to 2024, WR Tyreek Hill finished as WR2, WR2, and WR18 as well.
So, how does this relate to McConkey? McDaniel’s WR1 usually produces. Plus, QB Justin Herbert will be the most talented signal-caller McDaniel has coached.
According to RBSDM, Herbert totaled 0.110 adjusted EPA per play (17th) in the 2025 season. However, there’s still obvious upside here considering the sheer volume of passing attempts — including Herbert’s 646 pass snaps (ninth), 616 dropbacks (ninth), and 512 passing attempts (ninth) in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.
From 2022 to 2024, McDaniel led the Dolphins to 0.035 EPA per play (10th) and a 45.4% success rate (eighth). In short, the 2025 Chargers offense that posted only -0.016 EPA per play (20th) and a 43.6% success rate (tied for 19th) should improve.
If L.A. boosts its 20.6 PPG (24th) from a season ago, that benefits scoring chances across the board — including McConkey’s ability to score six.
McConkey logged 7.0 and 6.6 targets per game his last two seasons, and that’s likely to continue with the Bolts’ 57.7% pass-play rate (12th-highest) last year. PlayerProfiler cited the former Georgia Bulldogs with 535 routes run (13th) in the 2025 season, providing even more proof to the pudding.
McConkey had only a 66.4% catchable target rate (66th) and an 8.2% motion rate (68th) in his second campaign. That untapped potential can once again be unlocked by one of football’s best play-callers, as ESPN cited the Dolphins’ 73% motion rate as the second-highest mark from 2022 to 2025.
Motion and slot wideouts usually go together like peanut butter and jelly, and McConkey sported 521 slot snaps (second) last season.
Narrowing in on McConkey’s 71.5 receptions and 900.5 receiving yards projections on PrizePicks, he surpassed each total in 2024 but fell under the marks last year.
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The Chargers’ offense underperformed in the 2025 season, but the unit is healthy with Mike McDaniel now calling the plays. Someone is bound to benefit from the changes ahead.
After finishing as one of Los Angeles’ top targets the last two seasons, Ladd McConkey is a fantasy football sleeper to circle.
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