ATHENS — Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers were major contributors for Georgia — and have made their names immediately known in the NFL.
The Bulldogs’ dynamic duo of rookie NFL pass catchers, both of whom went over 1,000 yards receiving and set records.
Bowers set the receiving yards record for rookie tight ends with 112 catches for 1,194 yards along with five touchdowns this season. He also set the record for most receptions by a rookie.
McConkey, meanwhile, became the Los Angeles Chargers’ all-time leading rookie receiver in receptions (77) and receiving yards (1,054) during the regular season.
“As soon as he got here in OTAs, we’ve kind of talked about how special he was,” Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert said. “He’s just got such great feel for the game. As quickly as he picked up the offense, we knew that he was going to be able to be out there and we were going to ask a lot of him.”
Bowers, the No. 13 overall pick in the NFL draft after dominating the collegiate ranks and leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back championships, was indeed as competitive as ever.
“We kind of have a little competition,” Bowers told the Raiders’ team website. “I don’t know if (McConkey) knows but I’ve been keeping up with his numbers and trying to stay ahead of him.”
Bowers’ success is all the more impressive when one considers he set the NFL record despite the Raiders’ starting three different quarterbacks in their 4-13 campaign.
Bowers had the fourth-most yards after the catch among NFL pass catchers (596 yards), ranking ahead of fellow Pro Bowl selection George Kittle (522).
“A freak athlete with mismatch capabilities as a route-runner and a playmaker,” says NFL.com analyst and Super Bowl champion Bucky Brooks. “He’s a jumbo wideout in a tight end’s body, too big and physical for opposing defensive backs and too nimble for opposing linebackers in space.”
McConkey, who new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh traded up to get in the draft with the 34th overall pick, had his banner regular season despite playing through knee and shoulder injuries that forced him to miss a game in December.
And yet, McConkey remained as explosive as ever in the Chargers’ 34-20 win over Bowers’ Raiders in both team’s regular-season finales in Las Vegas on Sunday, reeling in five passes for 95 yards, including a 47-yard reception.
“McConkey has thrived as a No. 1 pass catcher in a run-based offense that relies on the rookie to come through in crucial moments,” Brooks noted. “A two-time national champion at Georgia, Ladd has quickly proven to be a problem at the NFL level.”
McConkey’s Chargers finished 11-6 and will open the NFL playoffs at the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
There’s a chance McConkey could face off against another former teammate in Houston cornerback Kamari Lassiter, a second-round pick whose standout rookie season highlights included taking down future NFL Hall of Fame Derrick Henry in the end zone for a safety two weekends ago.
Georgia NFL Playoff Rookies
Ladd McConkey, receiver, L.A. Chargers, 683 offensive snaps, 18 special team snaps
McConkey had the 10th most receiving yards in the NFL this season (1,149) and the 19th most receptions of any player in the NFL this season.
Kamari Lassiter, cornerback, Houston, 799 defensive snaps, 12 special teams snaps
Lassiter had 58 tackles for the Texas along with three interceptions. His 10 pass deflections tied for 27th most in the NFL this season.
Javon Bullard, safety, Green Bay, 785 defensive snaps, 150 special teams snaps
Bullard, a second-round pick, had 61 solo tackles for the Packers -- second-most among all NFL rookies. Bullard, who has overcome an ankle injury this season, will be with Green Bay when it opens the playoffs at the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in a wild-card game.
Tykee Smith, safety, Tampa Bay, 612 defensive snaps, 29 special teams snaps
Smith had 54 tackles, seven pass deflections, three forced fumbles and two interceptions for the Buccaneers, who open the NFL playoffs with a home game against the Washington Commanders at 8 p.m. on Sunday in a wild-card game.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Buffalo, 120 offensive snaps, 74 special teams snaps
Van Pran-Granger appeared in seven games this season, starting his most recent outing for the Bills. Buffalo opens its NFL playoff campaign against Denver at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Buffalo in a wild-card game.
Other Georgia rookies
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas, 908 offensive snaps
Bowers’ finally tally was 112 catches on 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Bowers’ longest catch of the season went for 57 yards, and he also had five carries this season for 13 yards with no fumbles.
Amarius Mims, Cincinnati, 835 offensive snaps, 53 special teams snaps
Mims started the season with a strained pectoral muscle before returning to the roster to start 13 games. Mims entered the Bengals’ final game as the “emergency” right tackle, playing with a broken hand suffered the prior week.
