Fantasy Preview: McConkey Should Get Volume Even in Chargers' Conservative Offense

By Craig Williams

The Chargers earned a playoff berth in Jim Harbaugh’s first year at the helm, and they’re expected to build on that success in 2025. They’re +310 to win the AFC West, so they’re still behind the Chiefs in oddsmakers eyes. From a fantasy perspective, it’s safe to anticipate another slow-paced, run-heavy approach led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The Chargers ran the fourth fewest plays overall and produced a 45.5% run rate. They bolstered their backfield with young veteran Najee Harris and rookie Omarion Hampton, and they added big-bodied wide receiver Mike Williams to pair with fellow 6-4 tower Quentin Johnston behind second-year stud Ladd McConkey.

Odds to Make Playoffs: -122 at FanDuel

• Quarterback: Justin Herbert

  • Last Season: 17 games, 332-504, 65.9%, 3,870 passing yards, 7.7 Y/A, 227.6 Y/G, 23 TD, 3 INT

  • Herbert attempted the fewest passes of his career (in a full season) and produced his lowest passing yards per game. It seems he’s completely bought into Harbaugh’s ball-control and defense approach, making him a better real-life quarterback than fantasy option. He threw for a modest 23 touchdowns (with two more on the ground), but with three interceptions, so he’s going to do what it takes to win games, and that may not translate to a lot of fantasy production.

• Running Back: Omarion Hampton 

  • Last Year (at UNC): 12 games, 281 carries, 1,660 yards, 5.9 yards/carry, 15 TD, 38 receptions, 373 yards, 9.8 yards/catch, 2 TD

  • Hampton will likely start in a frustrating timeshare with offseason acquisition Najee Harris, but make no mistake, Hampton is the back to have in this rotation. Even if they remain in a vexing split entering Week 12 — the Chargers’ bye — expect Hampton to take the lead over the final third of the season. He’s the type of summer investment that will pay off with big, week-winning performances when fantasy managers need them most. 

• Wide Receiver: Ladd McConkey 

  • Last Season: 16 games, 82 receptions, 112 targets, 1,149 yards, 14.0 average, 7 TD, 19 20+ receptions, 71.8 yards/game, 390 yards after catch

  • We’re highly bearish on quarterback Justin Herbert, but that’s the complete opposite for second-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey. While the Chargers’ pass volume will be relatively modest, the passing game will funnel heavily through McConkey, giving him the opportunity to produce week-winning performances while serving as a top fantasy option at wide receiver. DraftKings sets his touchdown mark at 5.5, a seemingly conservative number considering he scored seven in his rookie season plus one more in the Chargers’ playoff loss, and he’s likely to handle the largest share of the target pie.

• Tight End: Will Dissly 

  • Last Season: 15 games, 50 receptions, 64 targets, 481 yards, 9.6 average, 2 TD, 5 20+ receptions, 32.1 yards/game, 303 yards after catch

  • Outside of Ladd McConkey, there aren’t any pass-catchers projected or expected to make a significant dent in traditional fantasy formats. Those who play under tight-end premium rules will make note of Dissly’s 50 receptions, a career best. Still, fantasy managers owe it to themselves to target tight end options with higher statistical upside. 

• Defense

  • Last Season: 22.6 points per game, 43.3% 3rd down, 52.2% 4th down, 13 interceptions, 39 sacks, 15 fumbles caused, 7 fumbles recovered, 1 touchdown

  • The Chargers rated as the league’s top scoring defense in 2024, limiting opponents to 17.7 points per game. They finished sixth in the NFL with 46 sacks and 13th in the league with 21 takeaways. Fantasy managers may like to see the Chargers force a few more turnovers, but the combination of sacks and scoring defense presents a worthwhile foundation from a fantasy perspective.