Wide Recievers

Quentin Johnston (Chargers) Draft Preview

By Patrick Whelan

Posted on April 3, 2023

Post-Draft Fantasy Impact

Draft Team: Los Angeles Chargers, Round 1, 21st pick

It was obvious that NFL teams were going to highly rate Quentin Johnston because of his incredible athletic ability, so it made sense that Johnston was picked in the first round and was the second wide receiver off the board. What was surprising was his landing spot, the Los Angeles Chargers. Upon being drafted, an emotional Johnston’s thoughts immediately went to his mother who supported him through his football pursuits, “I just want to give a big shoutout to my mom, she’s going to be putting her two weeks-notice in today. She can retire. I don’t want you working another day!”

The Chargers could have gone in numerous directions with their first-round pick, but they opted for a player who could generate something they sorely missed last year, big passing plays. Despite Justin Herbert’s rocket arm and the downfield ability of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer, the Chargers were 24th in explosive pass rate. That’s something that Brandon Staley knew he had to change, both by firing Joe Lombardi at the end of last year and replacing him with Kellen Moore, and by drafting Quentin Johnson. “He’s a weapon to score the ball any time he touches it,” Staley said after the draft.

From a fantasy perspective, the Chargers’ pass-happy offense is a welcome landing spot for Johnston. The Chargers heavily utilized three wide receiver sets last year and Kellen Moore deployed them at a similar rate in Dallas. Johnston may have to beat out Joshua Palmer to immediately see the field, but given the injury history of Mike Williams and the advancing age of Keenan Allen, he could be on the field regardless of that training camp competition. And if Austin Ekeler gets moved this off-season, that’s an additional 100 targets that could open up.

Even with a plus landing spot, Johnston still has risk attached given his raw skills and average pass-catching. He remains a boom-bust player and the most volatile based of the top four receivers in rookie dynasty drafts. Your appetite for risk and how you view his extensive upside will determine how you view him, but he should be one of the first four receivers off the board in your draft and a surefire first-round pick.

Quentin Johnston Draft Preview

Quentin Johnston is a beast with a ton of upside and has the athleticism that NFL teams covet. YPC tells the story of his game as he moved from 17.8 to 19.2, ending his Junior year 22.1 after a huge semi-final against Michigan. While there is still plenty to polish in route running and contested catching, Johnston’s size and speed will make him a hot commodity on draft day. He might have the highest upside in the class but the downside potential is real. This is your classic boom-bust dynasty rookie.

Quentin Johnston 3-cone. Scouts had to persuade him to do a second one. pic.twitter.com/n9aP67JmKi

— RosterWatch (@RosterWatch) March 30, 2023

Measurables
• 6’3″ 208 lbs
• 40-yard dash – N/A
• Vertical Jump – 40.5″
• Broad Jump – 11’2″

Stats at TCU

2022: 60 catches, 1069 yards, 6 TD
2021: 33 catches, 634 yards, 6 TDs
2020: 22 catches, 487 yards, 2 TDs

Quentin Johnston vs. Kansas last season:

14 receptions
206 yards
1 TD

His talents are on display today at @TCUFootball Pro Day. 👀 @MrJohnston____ pic.twitter.com/mGIKHdxiN2

— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2023

Positives

I’ve already said it above, but the size, length, and speed combination is tailor-made for big plays in the NFL. Quickness creates easy separation, especially on long routes. Dynamic plays on tape, has the “it” factor. Big catch radius with size and frame. Is a big play waiting to happen, getting the ball in his hands almost always leads to good things.

Yeah MLB Opening Day is cool and all, but I would rather watch Quentin Johnston run the 40 at TCU Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/QQv0TP3mtW

— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) March 30, 2023

Negatives

Needs a fair amount of polish to his game. Footwork and breaks are a work in progress, as is working the whole route tree. Tends to body catch which leads to drops, especially with contact. Hands need work and remain inconsistent. Teams might have to force-feed him a bit early in his career.

Grade: A (93)

I’m not sure this is a full boom-bust player, but it does feel like he could go one of two ways. Either he cleans up his hands and his routes, which allows his freak athleticism to shine and become a big play machine, or he continues to struggle with consistency sees him become an unreliable player. That being said, the upside is well worth a first-round selection in dynasty drafts, as Johnston has the athleticism to be the highest-producing fantasy WR in the class.