The Los Angeles Chargers have undergone quite a makeover this offseason, as they hired a new head coach, a new general manager and saw a bunch of key players depart.
While bringing in Jim Harbaugh is certainly a huge positive for the franchise, one cannot overlook the fact that the Chargers subtracted their top two wide receivers in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, their No. 1 running back in Austin Ekeler and an underrated tight end in Gerald Everett.
As a result, many are wondering where Los Angeles’ offensive output is going to come from in 2024. Someone will need to step up, and that player could be receiver Quentin Johnston.
The Chargers selected Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he put forth minimal production during his rookie campaign, logging 38 catches for 431 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
With Allen and Williams gone, Johnston will be expected to post significantly better numbers this coming season, which is why Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus thinks the second-year pass-catcher is under considerable pressure to perform in 2024.
“As a player with a draft profile that wasn’t to everybody’s tastes, Johnston enters his second season under real pressure to show that he can be effective in the NFL, even if it’s in a certain role or on a less complete route tree,” Monson wrote.
Can Justin Herbert rely on Quentin Johnston?
Justin Herbert could have easily made this list himself based on all of the criticism he has faced after another underwhelming regular season in 2023.
Things will be even tougher for Herbert this year, as he will have to rely on an unproven cast of characters to assist him in the aerial attack.
Can Herbert depend on Johnston to deliver, or will the quarterback have to focus more on delivering the football to Joshua Palmer and rookie wide out Ladd McConkey?
The good news for Johnston is that the No. 1 receiver role is wide open, and a legitimate argument can be made that LA really wants him to grab the spot.
After all, the Chargers used their top draft choice on the TCU product last spring. They certainly don’t want that to go to waste.
Johnston definitely has the physical profile for an elite receiver at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, and he has blazing speed on top of that.
We’ll see if the Johnston can make a big impact come September.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
