- Quentin Johnston
- #1
- Team LAC
- Pos WR
- Status AActive
-
Establishing role this preseason
Johnston had one reception on two targets for 18 yards in Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams.
Analysis: Johnston had a quiet rookie campaign last year in the shadows of former teammate and superstar wideout Keenan Allen. With the latter joining Chicago in the offseason, a large chunk of production suddenly frees up for the current receiver room. Joshua Palmer and early second-round pick Ladd McConkey figure to occupy significant portions of the statistical pie, with Johnston and veteran DJ Chark jockeying for position not far behind the projected duo of young starters. Should Johnston carve out a…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 17 at 9:14pm by Rotowire.com
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Team expecting Year 2 breakout
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said he believes Johnston is "really going to launch" as a starter during the 2024 season, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Horitz mentioned that in his time as director of player personnel with Baltimore last season that Johnston "was a player we liked," and he praised the 2023 first-round pick's work ethic this offseason while acknowledging "some rawness to his game" as a rookie. Johnston finished with a subpar 431 yards last season despite suiting up for all 17 games, but with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (knee) no longer in the picture for Los Angeles, he has a clear path to a starting role alongside incumbent…read more
Published: Thu, May 16 at 1:48pm by Rotowire.com
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Poised to start
Johnston and Joshua Palmer (knee) are the top wide receivers left on the Chargers after the team released Mike Williams (knee) and traded Keenan Allen to Chicago.
Analysis: The 2023 first-round pick should have every chance to earn a starting job even if the Chargers end up bringing in another wide receiver via an early pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The lack of target competition is promising for fantasy purposes, while Johnston's rookie-year performance and new coaching staff are considerably less promising. Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman are known for prioritizing the running game, and the team's willingness to move on from both Allen and Williams further hint at…read more
Published: Fri, Mar 15 at 1:09pm by Rotowire.com
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Expects breakout in 2024
Johnston recently said he has a "world of confidence" in himself and expects a "breakout" in 2024 under new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, ESPN.com's Kris Rhim reports.
Analysis: Johnston had a disappointing rookie season by the standards of a No. 21 overall pick, catching 38 of 67 targets (56.7 percent) for 431 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. He had just one outing with more than six targets and none with more than seven, despite making 10 starts and playing 64.6 percent of the Chargers' offensive snaps. Johnston didn't have the best circumstances, to be fair, especially after QB Justin Herbert suffered a season-ending finger injury Week 14. The new coaching…read more
Published: Thu, Feb 1 at 12:22pm by Rotowire.com
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Minimal production on five targets
Johnston recorded two receptions on five targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Even in the absence of Keenan Allen (heel), Johnston has struggled to consistently command targets. That continued Sunday, as he tied for fourth on the team with five targets, and he's failed to top that mark in three of the four games that Allen has been sidelined. Johnston closes his rookie campaign with a disappointing 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns across 17 games.
Published: Sun, Jan 7 at 6:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Sees six targets in loss
Johnston had three receptions (six targets) for 29 yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to Denver.
Analysis: The Chargers were without their three receivers who figured to be their primary options at the start of the season, so Johnston finished as one of three replacement wideouts to see six or more targets Sunday. The first-round rookie failed to capitalize on the added opportunity, posting his third consecutive game of 30 or fewer receiving yards. Johnston's role and fantasy value should remain unchanged heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs.
Published: Sun, Dec 31 at 7:31pm by Rotowire.com
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Gains 30 yards on three touches
Johnston had two receptions (five targets) for 29 yards and gained one yard on his only rushing attempt in Saturday's 24-22 loss to Buffalo.
Analysis: Johnston remained a starter under interim head coach Giff Smith after Keenan Allen (heel) missed his second game in a row Saturday. The first-round rookie's five targets were his most since Week 11, but a poor conversion rate resulted in mediocre fantasy numbers. Fellow starter Joshua Palmer and tight end Gerald Everett tied for the team lead in targets with eight Saturday, leaving Johnston's role unchanged following the Chargers' recent staffing shuffle. Given that fact, Johnston makes for a…read more
Published: Sat, Dec 23 at 9:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores late TD
Johnston caught of his three targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 63-21 loss to the Raiders.
Analysis: Despite Keenan Allen (heel) being out for the divisional matchup and an insurmountable deficit by the end of the first half that should have set the stage for more passing opportunities, the rookie didn't draw any additional looks. It's hard to know what Johnston's role will be moving forward, especially with head coach Brandon Staley since fired, but it's clear the downgrade at quarterback with Easton Stick limits any potential fantasy upside.
Published: Sat, Dec 16 at 11:49am by Rotowire.com
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Nears 100 yards receiving in loss
Johnston caught three of his four targets for 91 yards in the 24-7 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Analysis: It's been a dismal season for the Chargers and for the 2024 first-round pick, but quietly Johnston may be turning things around with his second consecutive game of 50-plus yards. A beautiful fourth-quarter 57-yard bomb in stride accounted for the majority of the wideout's yardage in a game in which Los Angeles trailed from the jump, but it's hard to discount the catch given Johnston has failed to make those exact kind of plays at various points this season. Quarterback Justin Herbert sustained…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 10 at 5:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Solid outing despite bad weather
Johnston caught five of his seven targets for 52 yards in the 6-0 win over the Patriots on Sunday.
Analysis: It's a low benchmark, but after struggling for most of the season, Sunday's outing was easily the best of the rookie's career, especially given the sloppy conditions. Keenan Allen predictably led the team in targets (nine), but it was encouraging to see Johnston get involved to the extent that he did, as no other wide receiver saw more than three targets on the afternoon. It's too early to say the 22-year-old has turned the corner, but given the Chargers' desperate need for a second reliable…read more
Published: Sun, Dec 3 at 1:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Logs full practice Wednesday
Johnston (ribs/finger) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Analysis: In this past Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Ravens, Johnston was limited to one catch on three targets for seven yards while playing 29 of the Chargers' 66 snaps on offense. According to Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, Johnston suffered a rib injury in the third quarter that may have limited his availability down the stretch, but with a full practice Wednesday under his belt, the rookie is slated to play this weekend against the Patriots. However, as long as top wide receiver Keenan Allen (quadricep) and…read more
Published: Wed, Nov 29 at 3:17pm by Rotowire.com
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Participating in practice Wednesday
Johnston (ribs) is participating in practice Wednesday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The extent of Johnston's participation remains to be seen, but his presence at practice Wednesday bodes well for his availability this weekend against the Patriots after he sat out most of the second half of Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Ravens. Johnston caught one of three targets for seven yards prior to hurting his ribs. The rookie wide receiver was medically cleared to return, so it's possible his inability to return to the game was at least in part performance-based.
Published: Wed, Nov 29 at 12:32pm by Rotowire.com
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X-rays come back negative
Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that X-rays on Johnston's ribs returned negative, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Johnston didn't see the field after injuring his ribs in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Afterward, Staley told Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times that "it wasn't that [Johnston] couldn't go back in the game. We just didn't feel like... it was the right thing to go back in the game." While Johnston's lack of late-game reps may have been precautionary, Staley also relayed to Miller on Monday that the wide receiver wasn't 100 percent. Johnson is expected to take part in…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 27 at 3:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Rough showing in primetime
Johnston secured one of three targets for seven yards during Sunday night's 20-10 loss to the Ravens.
Analysis: Johnston exited Sunday's loss in the third quarter due to a rib injury and didn't retake the field, though coach Brandon Staley said after the game that the rookie first-round pick was medically cleared. "It wasn't that [Johnston] couldn't go back in the game," Staley told Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times. "We just didn't feel like... it was the right thing to go back in the game." Johnston also had a crucial drop on the final drive of Los Angeles' loss to the Packers in Week 11, and he may…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 27 at 10:03am by Rotowire.com
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Big drop Sunday
Johnston caught two of six targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Packers.
Analysis: Johnston's underwhelming performance was marred by a critical drop on Los Angeles' final drive, preventing the team from entering scoring position. The rookie first-rounder has just one 50-yard game and one touchdown through his first 10 appearances, struggling to make a significant impact despite playing in one of the league's better passing offenses.
Published: Sun, Nov 19 at 2:40pm by Rotowire.com
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Scores first professional TD
Johnston caught all four of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-38 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: It took 10 weeks, but Johnston finally scored his first NFL touchdown thanks to a nifty designed red-zone play early in the fourth quarter. The rookie's counting stats Sunday are hardly worth applauding, but Johnston did draw two long pass interference calls, and on the first, the 22-year-old arguably should have still brought in the ball and galloped untouched for a lengthy score. While fantasy managers have to acknowledge it's a relatively low bar, this was easily Johnston's best game to date…read more
Published: Sun, Nov 12 at 5:11pm by Rotowire.com
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Fails with additional opportunities
Johnston caught two of his three targets for 14 yards in the Chargers' 27-6 win over the Jets on Monday.
Analysis: The Chargers attempted the second-fewest pass attempts of the season to date, but it was still discouraging to see Johnston relegated to an afterthought with nominal No. 2 wideout Joshua Palmer (knee) sidelined in this one. While quarterback Justin Herbert's first read will seemingly always be Keenan Allen (8-9-77 on Monday), it seems likely to assume a more back-and-forth affair would have created a few more opportunities for the first-round rookie to be involved almost by default. Johnston's…read more
Published: Mon, Nov 6 at 8:59pm by Rotowire.com
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Could benefit sans Palmer
Johnston could be a featured target in the Chargers' passing attack Monday against the Jets with Joshua Palmer (knee) ruled out for the game.
Analysis: With Mike Williams (knee) lost for the season after Week 3, Palmer had stepped in as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Keenan Allen over the Chargers' past four games, producing a 15-294-0 receiving line on 26 targets. Along with Allen, running back Austin Ekeler will likely be heavily utilized in the passing game Week 9, but quarterback Justin Herbert has typically leaned on at least three pass catchers in a given game even in the most dire of situations, and the New York defense…read more
Published: Sat, Nov 4 at 2:34pm by Rotowire.com
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Extra run after Palmer exits
Johnston had five receptions on six targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Bears.
Analysis: Johnston set new highs in receptions, yards and targets, in large part because No. 2 wideout Joshua Palmer aggravated the knee injury he picked up in a loss to Kansas City in Week 7. Palmer was able to return after exiting in the first quarter and finished out the victory with no reported issues. That said, this is the second injury scare for Palmer within a week's time, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the him held out of practice this week for precautionary reasons. Johnston would receive…read more
Published: Mon, Oct 30 at 12:28am by Rotowire.com
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Still not a major factor
Johnston caught his lone target for 20 yards in the 31-17 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Analysis: It's hard to label a first-round pick a bust just six games into his career, but at least from a fantasy perspective, there's just little optimism for Johnston at the moment. The rookie is the clear third option at wide receiver behind Keenan Allen (62 snaps) and Joshua Palmer (59 snaps), but it's the team's insistence to avoid three-wideout personnel that has hindered opportunities for Johnston to get more involved. If every there was a chance to break out, however, it could come Week 8…read more
Published: Mon, Oct 23 at 12:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Absent from box score
Johnston did not record a catch on his two targets in a 20-17 loss to the Cowboys on Monday.
Analysis: There was hope the Chargers would use their early Week 5 bye to assimilate the rookie into the offense with Mike Williams (knee) out for the season, but that optimism was quickly erased as the combination of Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer accounted for 18 of Justin Herbert's 37 pass attempts in Monday's loss. To make matters worse for Johnston's fantasy managers, Austin Ekeler returned to his typical pass-catching role after a multi-game absence and recorded four catches on six targets for 35…read more
Published: Tue, Oct 17 at 7:16am by Rotowire.com
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Quiet once again Sunday
Johnston caught one of his three targets for 18 yards in the 24-17 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
Analysis: Johnston looked like a candidate to see a significant uptick in opportunities after Mike Williams (knee) suffered a season-ending injury Week 3, but the rookie first-round pick remained only a minor contributor in the passing game Sunday. The fact that the Chargers attempted just 24 passes likely played a factor in Johnston's limited output, but the pecking order clearly favors Keenan Allen (five targets) and Joshua Palmer (eight targets) by a wide margin. Additionally, running back Austin…read more
Published: Sun, Oct 1 at 4:49pm by Rotowire.com
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Expanded role on tap
Johnston is slated for a larger role on offense with Mike Williams (knee) having suffered a season-ending ACL tear, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Johnston has played less than 25 percent of offensive snaps in each of the Chargers' first three games this season, but he'll need to step up quickly for the passing game with Williams, an every-down player, done for the year. The rookie first-round pick profiles particularly well as a deep threat, which makes him both an ideal fit for Justin Herbert's arm talent and as a complement to Keenan Allen, but he has yet to flash that explosiveness at the NFL level. Sunday's upcoming matchup against a…read more
Published: Mon, Sep 25 at 9:49am by Rotowire.com
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Limited snaps again
Johnston caught two of his three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Vikings.
Analysis: For a third consecutive week the 2023 first-round pick played under 25 percent of the total team snaps. It appears as though Johnston will need at least one injury ahead of him on the depth chart to get any sort of sizable workload, but with Mike Williams slated for an MRI on Monday after injuring his knee in Sunday's win, that opportunity could come sooner rather than later.
Published: Mon, Sep 25 at 8:30am by Rotowire.com
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Little playing time again
Johnston caught one of his two targets for seven yards in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Titans on Sunday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Mon, Sep 18 at 11:08am by Rotowire.com
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Just 22 offensive snaps
Johnston tallied two catches on three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 36-34 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Mon, Sep 11 at 8:54am by Rotowire.com
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Plays into second quarter
Johnston caught both of his targets for 15 yards in Friday's 23-12 preseason win over San Francisco.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Fri, Aug 25 at 10:30pm by Rotowire.com
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Another good showing Sunday
Johnston caught all three of his targets for 37 yards in Sunday's preseason loss to the Saints.
Analysis: 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…read more
Published: Sun, Aug 20 at 8:41pm by Rotowire.com
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Finds end zone in preseason opener
Johnson brought in three of six targets for 10 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers' 34-17 preseason win over the Rams on Saturday night.
Analysis: The rookie first-round pick paced the Chargers in targets while tying for the team lead in receptions. Johnson's first score as a professional came on an eight-yard grab from Easton Stick with 17 seconds remaining in the first half, and he was the target on Los Angeles' first play from scrimmage, which resulted in a catch for a two-yard loss. All of Johnson's targets came in the first half, and with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams ticketed for sparse preseason run, he should have a chance to…read more
Published: Sat, Aug 12 at 9:20pm by Rotowire.com
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