Chargers draft Quentin Johnston with 21st pick: Everything fans need to know
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers entered the 2023 NFL Draft with a lot of question marks about the future. What position is the team going to take? Will the Chargers even stay at 21 or will they move down in the draft? Will Austin Ekeler be traded on draft night?
Chargers fans got their questions answered on Thursday night when the team selected TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the 21st overall pick. Johnston was viewed as a possible selection during the entire draft process, so he is somewhat of a familiar name for Chargers fans.
But not every Chargers fan has been scouring NFL Draft big boards and mock drafts to learn every detail about every possible prospect that could have been taken with the 21st overall pick. That is what we are here for.
Quentin Johnston is a GAMER!! 🙌
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 28, 2023
The @chargers select the @TCUFootball WR at No. 21 overall.
pic.twitter.com/VArPoDiIJn
Chargers draft Quentin Johnston with the 21st pick. Everything you need to know:
Johnston is 21 years old and will turn 22 in early September before the start of the 2023 regular season. He is a three-year receiver with TCU and in his senior season he finished with 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns.
What makes Johnston exciting as a prospect is his potentially high ceiling. Johnston has a blend of size and speed that you simply cannot teach. In theory, Johnston could have a high ceiling as both a deep-ball weapon and as a YAC option for Kellen Moore in his offense.
However, it is hard not to overlook Johnston's flaws. Despite being six-foot-three and having the fram of a jump-ball receiver, Johnston struggled in making contested catches at TCU. That is only going to be more difficult at the NFL level.
His route-running also is a work in progress as he often relied on his athleticism to beat defenders in college. That is not going to be as easy at the NFL level and he will take coaching up now that he is a pro.
It will be interesting to see which direction the team takes in the rest of the draft after selecting Johnston with the 21st overall pick. What do you think of this selection? Let us know in the comments down below.