Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh Says Ladd McConkey Reminds Him Of NFL Icon Steve Smith Sr.

Most people likely don't think of Steve Smith Sr. when they are watching Ladd McConkey.

But Jim Harbaugh isn't most people.

The Los Angeles Chargers head coach sees some of his former teammate when he watches the AFC West club's go-to receiver.

"It's like they both had this ability and this skill to almost look one way and then catch it just a few feet the other way," Harbaugh said, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. "It's really subtle, it's really good."

McConkey has a ways to go to reach Smith's level, and he would likely be the first to say as much.

After all, Smith was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection with eight different seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards. One of those seasons was 2005 when he led the NFL in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and touchdown catches (12) for a Carolina Panthers team that reached the NFC Championship Game.

Carolina also advanced to the Super Bowl during the 2003 campaign in large part because Smith had 18 catches for 404 yards and three touchdowns in four postseason games.

As for McConkey, the Chargers selected him with a second-round pick this year to bolster a wide receiver room that no longer has Keenan Allen or Mike Williams.

The Georgia product has been solid as a rookie with 30 catches for 376 yards and four touchdowns, but he may have turned the corner in Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints. He posted six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a career-best performance that might hint at what's to come.

"He's a complete receiver," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "For him to be able to line up inside, outside we've got a true ball player on our hands."

McConkey is clearly earning Herbert's trust and rewarded the signal-caller accordingly in the latest win.

Next up is a showdown against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday where Los Angeles will look to win a second straight game and improve to 5-3 in Harbaugh's first season at the helm.