The start of Quentin Johnston’s career has been nothing short of a disappointment. Johnston was buried on the Chargers depth chart to start the season and did little to nothing when given targets on the field. The first-year wide receiver is still a priority for the Fantasy Week 6 waiver wire.
WHO IS QUENTIN JOHNSTON?
Quentin Johnston is a prototype wide receiver coming in at 6’3″ and 208 lbs. Johnston led TCU in receiving all three years and had his breakout season at the age of 19. As a junior in 2022, he played 12 games and hauled in 53 catches for 901 yards for an average of 17.0 yards per catch, with 5 TDs, and a QB rating when targeted of 103.1.
As shown via PlayerProfiler, Quentin Johnston lacks high-end speed at the receiver position, but has an elite burst score, which is shown in his 7.7 yards after the catch per reception in college. Johnston has a large catch radius and when given the opportunity has the ability to high-point a majority of the balls thrown his way.
Quentin Johnston is not your normal 6’3″ big-bodied wide receiver. During his career at TCU Johnston was known for his shifty moves and YAC ability on the field. His aDOT at TCU was an impressive 15.6 while averaging over seven yards after the catch. His ability to be a threat at all three levels of the field is a major reason he was drafted 21st overall this season.
USAGE AND PRODUCTION
As stated earlier, Johnston has face-planted when it comes to both usage and production through four games. There was hope following the Mike Williams injury that Johnston would see an uptick in production, but he failed to do so, bringing in one catch for 18 yards on a broken play.
In his first week partially filling in for Mike Williams, Johnston saw three targets on a 55% snap share, but had a solid 80% route share. When he was on the field, Johnston was running routes and being used in the passing game, he just didn’t see the production.
Head coach Brandon Staley said, “We believe in the makeup of this guy, and now he’s going to get a bigger opportunity because there are going to be more opportunities available for him. So it’s a great chance for him to step up.”
Johnston should continue to see an uptick in usage and production. Most rookie wide receivers don’t breakout until midway through the season. The Chargers offense will need him to step up in the coming weeks.
HOW MUCH FAAB SHOULD YOU SPEND ON QUENTIN JOHNSTON?
The Week 6 waiver wire is lacking in major talent, but Quentin Johnston (33% rostered) is worth the add this week. Johnston is in a high-powered offense, with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. With the bye week behind him, Johnston should see a bump in production and usage. Johnston is worth 10% bid for your roster.
Don’t expect Johnston to be your WR1 or 2 this season, but the rookie has a chance to fill your flex position if given the opportunity. I hate to break it to you, but Josh Palmer is a bad NFL wide receiver, Palmer averaged just 1.2 yards per route run in each of his last two seasons, and is just a guy when out on the field.
I know that Johnston hasn’t shown anything yet on the field, but Week 4 against the Raiders was a sloppy game overall for the Chargers. Coming off of the bye the Chargers should be looking more like the high-powered offense they’ve shown us and Johnston should be a big part of that moving forward.
Stash Johnston moving forward and hope for the best for your fantasy rosters. Johnston sits at WR 54 (-3 ECR) on The Wolfs Rest of Season Big Board.
