Analyze Ladd Mcconkey's matchup for week 9
McConkey brings a four-game 11-plus-point streak and a 27 % team target share into a date with the NFL’s 25th-ranked secondary, making him a plug-and-play WR2 with WR1 upside.
The Titans’ battered secondary—ranked 25th by Sharp Football—has allowed a 45 % completion rate on deep balls and big plays all year. L’Jarius Speed has looked mortal when healthy, Roger McCrearey is exploitable inside, and the safety duo has been inconsistent. McConkey, who runs 80 % of the routes and owns 36 % of the Chargers’ air yards over the last month, should spend the afternoon feasting on intermediate and deep zones in Nashville.
After topping 11 fantasy points in four straight games while commanding a 27.4 % target share, 36.3 % air-yard share and a 46.7 % end-zone target share, McConkey has vaulted from afterthought to weekly WR2.
The rookie’s ascent is no fluke. A 4.39 speedster with elite route polish, he’s gone from 4-for-32 in September to a target hog averaging 9.3 looks a night during this heater. Herbert’s renaissance under a retooled passing scheme (thanks to Joe Alt’s return) has funneled 36 % of the intermediate/deep looks to McConkey, making him a volume-based floor play who can also rip off 40-yard scores. Against a Titans defense surrendering the 22nd-most deep completions and a 45% catch rate on 15-plus-yard throws, those high-leverage targets should hit. The combination of Herbert’s hot hand, neutral weather and a Chargers team implied for 26 points gives McConkey a 15-point median projection with 25-point ceiling. Start him in all formats and don’t look back.