If you're looking for a comp for Johnston, you could do worse than looking across the locker room at Mike Williams. Both are big-bodied receivers drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft who have had some separation and route-running question marks. Williams averaged 71.7 yards per game at Clemson, and Johnston averaged 73 at TCU. The Chargers are hoping Johnston does a better job staying healthy, but they'd be thrilled if Johnston could give them what Williams has per game the last two years. In rookie drafts, Johnston is a surefire first-round pick in all formats who could go as early as No. 4 in one-QB leagues. In redraft, leave him for the double-digit rounds unless Williams misses time in training camp with his back injury.
Johnston has done nothing to convince Fantasy managers to hold him through two weeks. But he's still a Round 1 wide receiver attached to Justin Herbert in one of the best offenses in the league. I expect a few more people to drop him this week, and I'll be trying to add and stash.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Little playing time again
Rotowire
Johnston caught one of his two targets for seven yards in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans on Sunday.
The Chargers have a deep wide receiver corps, but it's a bit surprising to see the 2023 first-round pick play just 10 total snaps Sunday after registering a paltry 22 in his NFL debut last week. With Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer all healthy, it's understandably hard for the rookie target to crack the rotation. However, given the draft capital invested in the big-bodied target, it feels unlikely Johnston will continue to be a non-factor as the season progresses.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Just 22 offensive snaps
Rotowire
Johnston tallied two catches on three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 36-34 loss to the Dolphins.
Despite the fact Mike Williams was sidelined for part of the first half due to a head injury, Johnston only saw 22 offensive snaps, far below supposed No. 4 wide receiver Joshua Palmer's 55. It's possible the Chargers simply want to ease Johnston into NFL action, but the big-bodied first-round pick was expected to fill a significant role right away. His fantasy upside in Week 2 against the Titans could depend on Williams' availability.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Plays into second quarter
Rotowire
Johnston caught both of his targets for 15 yards in Friday's 23-12 preseason win over San Francisco.
Johnston played into the second quarter and technically was the Chargers' leading receiver on a night that saw them rest all their other key players and throw for only 53 yards on 20 pass attempts. The rookie first-round pick closes out his preseason with eight caches for 62 yards and a TD on 11 targets, and he'll either be the Chargers' third or fourth wide receiver when they host the Dolphins in Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Another good showing Sunday
Rotowire
Johnston caught all three of his targets for 37 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
The 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft once again looked the part, as Johnston hauled in passes of 16 and 15 yards from Easton Stick in the first half -- the latter of which helped set up the Chargers' first points of the game midway through the second quarter. Johnston has yet to work with Justin Herbert in a game, and he'll be behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in the pecking order when the regular season begins, but the big-bodied TCU product has a chance to make an impact as a rookie in the Bolts' high-powered passing attack.
... See More... See Less
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Bolts to Los Angeles
Rotowire
The Chargers selected Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 21st overall.
Wide receiver was a need for the Chargers and that market was slow to develop in the first round, which worked out in their favor. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the first receiver off the board the pick right before and now Johnston is headed to Los Angeles. Johnston isn't a perfect prospect -- there are questions about his route-running and whether the athletic dominance he showed against Big 12 competition at TCU will translate after running a 4.51 40 at his pro day -- but he's the most projectable outside receiver in this class at 6-foot-3. He projects to line up opposite Mike Williams with Keenan Allen in the slot. Johnston may be fourth in the target pecking order when the season starts, but there are durability concerns with the other Charger receivers. In all, this is a solid landing spot for Johnston, who now has a chance to be fantasy-relevant as a rookie in an explosive passing attack.
