Panic Meter: Second Year Receivers

Have you ever heard of the term “sophomore slump?” For those who might be unfamiliar, take a look at what Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey have been doing this season. So far in 2025, both of these guys have looked like a shell of their 2024 selves, and have thus become the poster children for the dreaded sophomore slump label. Can we chalk either performance up to a slow start? Or are these guys really just not as good as we had anticipated they would be? In order to answer those questions, let’s dive into the panic meter to see how BTJ and Ladd owners should be feeling about their guys that they invested so highly in.

Brian Thomas Jr.: Panic Meter: 6

To answer a question from the introduction, we are well past the point of being able to consider BTJ’s performance just simply a slow start. In the first 5 weeks, he has reached double digit fantasy points only once, and has only scored one touchdown, which came on a running play designed for him. The targets have been there. Thomas has no less than 6 in any of his contests this year. The production has not. As it pertains to his specific situation, let’s say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thomas owners can choose to be patient and tell themselves that because the target share is there, the production is soon to follow. However, owners that prefer the glass half empty mindset will point to how Thomas’s contested catch rate this season has been abysmal. And for a guy who has a reputation of being a poor practice player, his lackluster stats aren’t necessarily a surprise to those who monitor his situation closely. All in all, it’s not time to completely sound the alarm on BTJ. But we are beyond the point of casual concern and have entered the true danger zone.

Ladd McConkey: Panic Meter: 7

To say McConkey’s performance thus far this season is underwhelming would be an understatement. After a truly elite finish to his rookie season, fantasy managers who selected Ladd in the second or third round should already feel incredible regret on their decision. The reason that we have him at a 7 on the panic meter, one notch above Thomas, is due to the fact that the Chargers offense has been very good (with the exception of week 5), it’s just simply not Ladd who is the one producing. Third year receiver Quentin Johnston and 33 year old “washed” Keenan Allen are the ones pacing LA in receiving this season. They both lead McConkey in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. For a player who was supposed to be the main receiving threat in their offense, this is truly disastrous from a fantasy perspective to fall behind not just one pass catcher, but two. It’s still too early to bring Ladd up to an 8 or higher on the panic meter, but we are approaching the “disaster” territory with him. If things don’t change in a hurry for McConkey, we will soon get to the point where he only garners flex appeal, or even worse, might not even be worthy of a starting spot in 12 or more man leagues.