The second-year receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers Quentin Johnston will have to turn heads in training camp, as the 2023 starter has competition for the starting job. Johnston was drafted 21st overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and already is on the outside looking in his sophomore year.
Despite having the size, frame, and explosiveness to make plays, he failed to do that as a pro in the NFL. The TCU pass catcher was used poorly last year and just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities given in his dire situation.
Quentin Johnston was able to start due to injuries to their wide receiving core but that didn’t amount to much, as his inconsistent hands didn’t improve, along with his route running. After an abysmal year as a rookie, the 22-year-old will need to prove himself to new offensive coordinator Greg Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Quentin Johnston 2023 Stats and Production
Last year, Quentin Johnston was able to start 10 games as a rookie, with their other main receivers all suffering injuries in 2023. Keenan Allen is now with the Chicago Bears as a pre-draft trade, while Williams signed with the New York Jets after he was cut.
The young pass catcher had 431 yards on 38 catches and two touchdowns, mainly as an outside perimeter receiver. Some of his playing time came from when franchise quarterback Justin Herbert was out. Johnston was still targeted 67 times so his lack of production doesn’t come from limited targets.
The former first-round rookie was ranked the 74th wide receiver in PPR, according to Fantasy Pros. Johnston’s outlook this season isn’t any more promising, now in a run-heavy offense with more competition at receiver.
2024 Fantasy Outlook on Johnston
For this year, Quentin Johnston is being drafted 68th receiver in PPR, according to Fantasy Pros. But this could change with the news that he is not the starter for now. The Chargers also have the 13th-hardest schedule against wide receivers, so the fantasy outlook is bleak at this point.
Both second-round rookie Ladd McConkey and budding star Joshua Palmer, who is coming off his season-ending injury, as the projected starters. They are being drafted around the ninth and 10th rounds in fantasy drafts for PPR ahead of Johnston, according to Fantasy Pros.
In the later rounds, he won’t be the worst flier as his age and draft capital are the only benefits compared to the other receivers available. At 170th overall, Johnston is not even drafted or is a back-end late-round selection, next to rookie Marshawn Lloyd from the Green Bay Packers.
Final Thoughts on Johnston
With Quentin Johnston demoted as the fourth wide receiver, it’s hard to imagine that he emerges as a viable fantasy option for the Los Angeles Chargers. His big frame profiles as a jump ball receiver, yet he is more dynamic if is used more on screens and jet sweeps.
The 1,000-yard receiver at TCU wasn’t used as a designed rusher at all and he wasn’t in the slot as much with the Chargers, compared to his college days. Now with McConkey as their designated slot, Johntson’s role is uncertain heading into training camp.
Chark could be an injury-liable, as the veteran speedster has been on multiple teams the last few years as a journeyman but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Best-case scenario, Quentin Johnston beats out Chark or one of their receivers goes down during the season but ultimately, that likely won’t result in actual fantasy production.
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