Quentin Johnston behind DJ Chark in latest Chargers depth chart projection

Former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco spent the 21st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, a move met with mixed feelings among fans. Johnston was one of the most dynamic yards after catch (YAC) and missed tackles forced (MTF) threats in college football. However, and more concerning given translatability to the NFL, Johnston was neither a refined route runner nor a contested catch monster. Kellen Moore, the team’s previous offensive coordinator, leaned into the rookie’s weaknesses rather than his strengths.

The plan led to poor results from his debut season. Now, heading into his second year now under a new regime that did not draft him, Johnston may have fallen out of the starting rotation altogether.

The Athletic’s Daniel Popper speculated the Chargers' three starting wide receivers were Joshua Palmer, Ladd McConkey, and DJ Chark. While each carries question marks, they do complement each other well. Palmer has the trust of Justin Herbert and can play a variety of roles. McConkey is a perfect Year One slot receiver with twitch and YAC potential. Chark is the true, speedy boundary receiver that fits offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s scheme.

The McConkey selection minimizes Johnston’s opportunity to showcase what he can do after the catch.

Johnston was forced into a boundary receiver role last season, which he struggled with. Again, not entirely his fault. The Chargers failed to find ways for him to lean into his strengths, which was generally the theme for most players during the previous regime.

Still, Johnston struggled, and that is disappointing for any first-round selection. Johnston caught just seven of 22 contested catch opportunities. His 0.88 yards per route run (Y/RR) were sixth-worst in the NFL last year among 80 wide receivers with 50 or more targets.

Not finding a home as a boundary wide receiver means Palmer and Chark, who have proven themselves, will play ahead of him. Unless the second-year wideout displays significant improvement in training camp, Johnston may not see the field often this year as an every-down contributor.