LA Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has high praise for maligned WR Quentin Johnston.
NFL training camps are underway and the “coach speak” is flying! LA Chargers new Head Coach is practiced in the art. He gave high praise to wide receiver Quentin Johnston who is entering year two after a disappointing rookie season. “(He’s) one of our top guys right now…he’s gonna be a problem.”
Johnston played in all 17 games in his rookie season and playing in a high volume Kellen Moore offense with strong-armed quarterback Justin Herbert was supposed to result in a big year. The expectations for the first-round pick fell short posting just 431 yards and 2 touchdowns on 38 catches. Looking deeper, the numbers are more frightening as QJ ranked 85th in separation and 91st in cushion, resulting in a route win rate ranking of 129. 5.5 PPR points per game does not create fantasy championships, and going into the 2024 season, Johnston has a current Underdog ADP of 155 and is ranked as WR74 by Player Profiler.
Johnston will have to work to separate himself (a thing he couldn’t do against defenses, apparently) in a WR room that lost Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, but now boasts Joshua Palmer and highly regarded route-running machine Ladd McConkey. Rookie Brenden Rice and veterans Derius Davis and DJ Chark will compete for targets as well. There doesn’t seem to be a path to success for Johnston in a run-heavy Harbaugh/Roman offense and he will land on most “Do Not Draft” lists in fantasy this season.