Why Chargers first-round selection Quentin Johnston is a fantastic fit
The Los Angeles Chargers have an archetype for their wide receivers and held to that line during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, when the organization selected TCU's Quentin Johnston at No. 21 overall.
Johnston (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) is a tall receiver in the mold of Keenan Allen (6-foot-2, 211 pounds) and Mike Williams (6-foot-4, 218 pounds). On the surface, it might seem a surprise that the Chargers selected a prospect who echoes their games.
On the board of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Johnston was the No. 4 WR prospect behind 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner from USC Jordan Addison, Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Boston College's Zay Flowers. Flowers and Addison were available when Los Angeles made its selection.
New Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore might covet Johnston's ability to gain yards after the catch. Per Pro Football Focus, he averaged 8.9 yards after the catch during his last season at TCU, tied for 10th in the FBS.
Moore uses concepts from the West Coast offense, which is predicated on the short passing game -- meaning that he needs WRs who can turn short plays into huge gains.
When Moore was the Cowboys OC, he could rely on Pro Bowl WR CeeDee Lamb, who had the league's sixth-most receiving yards (1,359) last season.
In frame and play style, Johnston somewhat mirrors Lamb (6-foot-2, 197 pounds). Perhaps Moore believes he can develop him into a similar player.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert needs more targets he can depend on, too. In 2022, he posted a career-low 93.7 passer rating while Williams and Allen battled injuries. Allen missed seven games with a hamstring injury, Williams four with a high ankle sprain.
Adding receiving depth and a tool that suits Moore's system should help ensure that Herbert can continue to play at an elite level even as he learns a new scheme.
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