When the Los Angeles Chargers picked Quentin Johnston as the 21st overall selection in the April draft, they added him to one of the NFL's stronger wide receiver groups.
Since the season began, however, Johnston has been relegated to a lower spot on the depth chart behind the Chargers' top trio of pass-catchers, including Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Joshua Palmer. The Chargers maintain that this was always the plan for Johnston.
Coach Brandon Staley had indicated back in July that they would bring Johnston along gradually, and that's precisely what they've done. Staley clarified that the slow introduction of their first-round pick isn't due to Johnston's lack of readiness but rather because of the talent ahead of him.
However, circumstances have changed. Williams suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Sunday's victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Consequently, the Chargers can no longer afford to keep their first-round receiver hidden on the sidelines.
Staley expressed confidence in Johnston's abilities, stating that he now has a bigger opportunity due to the increased playing time. Johnston was drafted from TCU after an impressive junior season in college, where he excelled as one of the best receivers in college football, amassing 1,069 yards and six touchdowns.
Staley praised Johnston's knack for making plays after the catch and described him as a "scoring threat every time he touches the ball."
Nonetheless, Johnston's college success hasn't yet translated to the NFL, partly because he hasn't had ample opportunities. During training camp, Johnston's performance varied, and he briefly grappled with drops. So far this season, he has only played 48 snaps and caught five passes for 26 yards.
In contrast, the other three wide receivers drafted in the first round, including Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens, Jordan Addison of the Vikings, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, have thrived in their respective offenses. They have each played at least 95 snaps, with Flowers leading the way at 169.
During Sunday's game, Johnston shared the field with one of his first-round peers, Addison, and the disparity in their contributions was noticeable. Addison played 55 snaps and caught eight passes for 52 yards, surpassing Johnston's season statistics.
Johnston mentioned that he doesn't actively monitor the performances of the receivers drafted around him but is aware of the discrepancy in stats that might frustrate fans. However, he remains focused on his own development and growth.
He admitted that being lower on the depth chart has been somewhat frustrating, but he has learned valuable lessons by observing from the sidelines and participating in receiver meetings. For example, he's shifted his focus from trying to elude defenders after catching the ball to understanding the importance of advancing downfield.
Johnston emphasized, "I'm not really going to focus on the shake so much, just getting downfield as fast as I can until I just really get a feel of the game."
From the start, Johnston faced an uphill battle for substantial playing time. Both Allen and Williams are considered among the best at their position and earn substantial salaries. Furthermore, Palmer had an impressive season last year, catching 72 passes while Allen and Williams missed games due to injuries. Additionally, running back Austin Ekeler, who led the team with 107 receptions last year, posed a challenge for playing time.
However, with Ekeler nursing an ankle injury and Williams out for the season, Johnston now has an opportunity to prove himself and validate the Chargers' faith in his long-term potential.
Staley reiterated the team's belief in Johnston's abilities and expressed excitement about his increased role, stating, "We're really happy with him, and now he's going to get to shine in a bigger way now."