Fantasy Football Draft Debate: Ladd McConkey vs. Terry McLaurin

Going over who is the better fantasy draft pick between Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey and Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin.

Aug 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) before the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Many WRs who have had elite-level production at one point in their NFL careers put forth some underwhelming statistics in 2025. Two of those players were WR1 for the Los Angeles Chargers, Ladd McConkey, and WR1 for the Washington Commanders, Terry McLaurin. While they did not play to their fantasy ADPs a year ago, things in fantasy football change fast, and either one of them or both of them could bounce back in 2026. With that, here is a breakdown of who is the better draft pick between McLaurin and McConkey this season.

Terry McLaurin

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) catches a touchdown pass against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

McLaurin, for the first time in his NFL career, had his season severely impacted by injury. He played just 10 games in 2025 and recorded 38 receptions, 582 receiving yards, and three TDs. That snapped a five-season streak in which he recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards.

Going into 2026, with WR being a big need for the Commanders, they addressed it in free agency and in the draft.

With the 71st pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Washington selected WR Antonio Williams out of the University of Clemson. They then recently signed veteran WR Stefon Diggs in free agency. He is coming off a promising 2025 season with the New England Patriots, where he recorded 85 receptions, 1,013 receiving yards, and four TDs. In PPR formats, he finished as WR17.

With the new WR additions Washington made, especially Diggs, this is arguably the most competition McLaurin will have for targets in his career with the Commanders.

Ladd McConkey

Jul 31, 2026; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey at press conference during training camp at The Bolt. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

McConkey in 2025 finished his sophomore slump season with 66 receptions, 789 receiving yards, and six TDs. In PPR fantasy formats, he finished as WR30.McConkey will hope to get back to the production levels that he had in his rookie season in 2024. In his rookie year, he finished as WR12 in PPR  formats, recording 82 receptions, 1,149 receiving yards, and seven TDs. 

The main thing that should give fantasy managers hope of McConkey having a good season is his new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniels. In seasons past, while serving as the acting Head Coach for the Miami Dolphins, McDaniels has helped WRs have seasons where they have been among the highest-ranked WRs in fantasy. For example, in 2023, WR1 for Miami, Tyreek Hill, finished as WR2 in PPR fantasy formats.

The head coach of the Chargers added some fuel to a possible bounce-back season for McConkey. He said the following regarding McConkey, “I think Mike (McDaniel) said it; he said it to them: potential for the best year he’s ever had in pro football. I feel the same way.”

Final Verdict

When it comes to who is a better fantasy pick between McConkey and McLaurin, McConkey has the slight edge this season.

McConkey and McLaurin both have solid depth behind them on their team’s WR depth charts. The main separator between the two in fantasy is McDaniels. With him calling plays, McConkey, who is one of the more talented route runners in the league, McDaniels should find a way to unlock McConkey's fantasy ceiling as a player.