The Los Angeles Chargers may have whiffed on last year’s first-round selection, as it was recently announced that Quentin Johnston will not be the starter heading into a transition season with a new regime.
The 6’3″ and 216-pound weapon didn’t flash whatsoever when he was the starter and struggled to separate against tight press-man coverage on the outside. His environment could have been better, as the offensive scheme didn’t use him as that dynamic playmaker all over the field.
Johnston’s hands didn’t improve throughout the season, and the raw route running coming out of college still needed to be worked on. All of his flaws have shown out as a pro, while his strengths as a big-framed pass catcher haven’t translated from college.
As a collegiate prospect for TCU, Johnston wasn’t the fasted receiver but had enough juice after the catch. For the Los Angeles Chargers after his rookie year, that has been lacking in his game.
Los Angeles Chargers Receiver on Uphill Battle to Start
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According to John Frascella of Bleacher Report, Quentin Johnston will be the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart to start training camp for the Los Angeles Chargers, per The Athletic and Rotoworld.
The sophomore receiver will be behind projected starters Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark, and rookie Ladd McConkey in 11 personnel. Johnston is being demoted from a starter last year, due to injuries, to a backup or role player to start 2024 on paper.
Their second-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft will likely start in the slot, as McConkey will see looks with Palmer and Chark on the outside. The free agent journeyman Chark beating out Johnston is surprising, but the veteran does bring more speed to the table as a prototypical X receiver.
TCU’s Quentin Johnston Reaching Potential Bust Status
Like a few hyped receiver prospects of the past, Johnston was already classified as a reach when the Los Angeles Chargers took him ahead of other prospects. He has a similar profile to Treylon Burks, who is receiving special teams reps as their fourth wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans.
Burks was also a first-rounder, taken in the 2022 NFL Draft 18th overall, and due to injuries along with other circumstances on offense, he hasn’t lived up to the draft capital. Despite being productive in Arkansas, he also wasn’t utilized ideally and was supposed to be a replacement for AJ Brown, who they traded that offseason.
Both made a name for themselves in college as big power pass catchers that made defenders miss and broke tackles in space. However, Burks was better as a power slot receiver, while Johnston was used mostly on the outside with the Chargers. Both were not polished route runners, as they need to be used more in space.
Former First Round, 21st Overall Pick Slated as Backup
Johnston started 2023 as the backup to veteran Keenan Allen and Mike Williams next to Josh Palmer before injuries shook up the depth chart for the Los Angeles Chargers. The former TCU product had an abysmal rookie season and didn’t take advantage of the starting reps he had to end last year.
The 22-year-old was a first-rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft and was taken 21st overall, ahead of players like Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison. The team itself under head coach Brandon Staley was terrible but even with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, they didn’t utilize Johnston in roles that adhered to his strengths.
For a run-heavy offense like Greg Roman’s for the Los Angeles Chargers, the outlook for Johnston as an impact playmaker doesn’t look good. It would likely take an injury for a starter or him outplaying Chark, as Palmer was their guy last season.
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