The Los Angeles Chargers made a selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft that surprised some people outside of the organization. The team selected TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the No. 21 overall pick, adding to what was already a deep stable of wide receivers.
The Chargers already had a very solid trio in place with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, so the selection was a peculiar one. But, when taking a look at how the position looks in the future, it does make a little more sense.
Allen and Williams both have exorbitant cap hits next year and could be released as neither has any guaranteed money left on their deal. Palmer will be heading into the final year of his rookie contract as well.
While Johnston may have to wait his turn to get on the field for now, by 2024, he could be in the starting lineup. But, he is already pushing to be in the lineup right away as he was one of the standouts of the team’s OTAs.
Chargers’ star safety Derwin James Jr. was very complimentary of the rookie wide receiver. Johnston’s athleticism and big play ability were on display consistently.
He’s that guy,” James said. “Him being able to get open, him being able to have the confidence to be able to go through his drills and be able to — every catch, he’s finishing his runs.”
Not only were the players sometimes matched up against him impressed, but so were members of the Chargers’ coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore commented on just how much range Johnston possesses and his ability to create with the ball in his hands.
“His range is really, really tremendous,” said first-year coordinator Kellen Moore, whose scheme is intended to create more explosive opportunities. “The other thing that we’ve highlighted is his ability to make plays after the catch. You can certainly see that, his suddenness to get in and out of breaks once he catches the ball, the transition to a runner, that will be really big for him.”
Despite there being plenty of competition to get on the field, it sounds as if Johnston has made quite a first impression. If he continues standing out like this when the Chargers take the field again in a few weeks for training camp, the coaching staff is going to have to find ways to get him out on the field.
Given the track record of Allen and Williams’ ability to stay on the field, it could come sooner than later. Injuries hampered them throughout the 2022 season and could be as big of a reason as any that Los Angeles used their first-round pick on the explosive Johnston.
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