Ladd McConkey was a steal on multiple levels for the LA Chargers. Not only did the Bolts land one of the most productive wideouts in the entire draft in the second round, but they navigated several obstacles to make it happen.
It took trading up with the New England Patriots, which looks even better in hindsight considering the Patriots got rid of the wideout they drafted, Ja'Lynn Polk. It also took some luck, as the Buffalo Bills had the first pick of the second round and clearly needed to draft Josh Allen a wide receiver.
Buffalo ultimately drafted Keon Coleman, an exciting prospect who wasn't considered a reach at the time. Coleman's two years in Buffalo have been tumultuous with multiple healthy scratches and a PR nightmare that is currently swallowing the Bills.
Even though he is still on the team, Bills owner Terry Peluga has no problem publicly bashing Coleman to defend his decision to retain GM Brandon Beane. Peluga told reporters that drafting Coleman was the coaching staff's decision and that Beane was just being a team player. What a way to elicit confidence in one of your players.
It's a mess for the Bills, but it's also a firm reminder to Chargers fans that even after a down 2025 season, the Bolts hit the jackpot with McConkey.
Bills' Keon Coleman drama should make Chargers fans grateful for Ladd McConkey
Buffalo easily could have taken McConkey with the No. 33 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it would have changed the future of both teams. For the Bills, they would have landed a truly productive slot corner who genuinely could have been the difference this season.
Allen had a bad game in the AFC Divisional Round but he was also throwing to subpar receiver. Perhaps he doesn't turn the ball over multiple times if he had McConkey as an outlet option. Maybe the Bills get the better of the Kansas City Chiefs in last year's AFC Championship Game.
As for the Chargers, they may never trade up in the first place. The Chargers didn't trade up just for the sake of it, they did so because McConkey fell. This would have opened the door for the Patriots to take Coleman, who was a better fit as an X receiver than Polk.
Maybe the Chargers would have been the ones to take Polk. Perhaps they would have drafted another position and taken a swing on Cooper DeJean. It's impossible to know, but one thing is for certain: the offense would have been much worse.
It's unclear what the future holds for Coleman in Buffalo after this public burial. But it is clear that McConkey will continue being one of the best young wideouts in the sport with Herbert throwing him the football.