A wide receiver wasn’t the most pressing need that the Los Angeles Chargers had heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. They already had a strong trio in Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, but opted to add to the position when they selected wide receiver Quentin Johnston No. 21 overall.
The Chargers’ brain trust could have certainly been taking a look at their future salary cap and decided the time was right to reset the clock at the wide receiver position. Allen and Williams both have exorbitant cap hits in 2024, with Allen surpassing $34 million and Williams topping $32 million.
There is certainly a chance at least one, if not both of them, are moved on from this offseason or at the very least have their contract restructured. Johnston provides some long-term insurance at the position for Los Angeles, but he could find his way into the lineup early and often.
Franchise quarterback Justin Herbert recently spoke out about his newest receiver. Breaking into the lineup won’t be easy given the talent ahead of him on the depth chart, but Johnston has made a great first impression.
“He’s a playmaker. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us,” Justin Herbert said in his Wednesday press conference. “He showed up and we knew early that we’ve got a special guy out there. He’s done a great job picking up the offense so far.
“He’s young, but he’s going to be something special. So, it’s been fun to watch him so far.” (H/T ProFootballTalk)
Johnston certainly has immense upside given his elite combination of size, speed and athleticism. He brings another big play, down-the-field threat to what has the makings to be one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in 2023.
Health was a big issue for the Chargers at the wide receiver positions last season, as Allen played in only 10 games and Williams appeared in 13 but was forced out of more than one early because of injury. With Palmer and now Johnston behind them on the depth chart, Los Angeles has the pieces to overcome any injuries that may pop up again at the position.
