Tag: quinten johnston

Chargers QB Justin Herbert on rookie Quentin Johnston: ‘He’s a playmaker’

Justin Herbert seems to be impressed by Quentin Johnston early on.

Perhaps no rookie receiver in the 2023 draft class found themselves in a more enviable position than Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Johnston has both one of the league’s best young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, his collegiate signal caller Max Duggan, and a fellow receiver Derius Davis from his alma mater on the roster with him.

Still, nothing is guaranteed and, yet unproven, Johnston will have to prove the team right for drafting him with a first-round pick in April. Nonetheless, early indications of his success are positive, with Herbert heaping praise on Johnston.

“He’s a playmaker. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us,” Herbert told the media. “He showed up and we knew early that we got a special guy out there. He’s done a great job of picking up the offense so far. He’s young, but he’s going to be something special. It’s been fun to watch him so far.”

While he will be stuck behind veterans Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on Los Angeles’ depth chart, Johnston is sure to make his presence felt in training camp and the preseason as he acclimates to life in the NFL.

Johnston should provide a spark to Los Angeles’ offense early in the 2023 season as he is a deep threat with the speed to stretch the field and can outpace defenders in the open field with great explosiveness, wiggle and strength.

With some rest and preparation over the next month of dead time during the last stage of the offseason, Johnston could position himself to be Herbert’s top target when the regular season starts in September.

Kellen Moore applauds Brandon Staley’s offense-first draft strategy

Kellen Moore was taken by surprise when Brandon Staley selected Quentin Johnston with the Chargers’ first-round pick.

The Chargers had work to do in the offseason to prepare for a bounce-back 2023 campaign, and with the draft behind them, their roster is starting to take shape.

After speculation surrounding whether or not they’d favor building on offense or defense first, the team elected to choose TCU wide receiver Quinten Johnston with their first-round pick to give quarterback Justin Herbert another option to throw to.

Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore applauded that decision in comments made to the media after the draft. Speaking to reporters about his thoughts on the team’s draft class, he made it clear that the team’s strategy in the annual selection meeting took him by surprise.

“Brandon [Staley] is this defensive guy and he’s drafting these offensive guys, I like this,” Moore explained. “It’s a lot of fun. Q [Johnston] really stood out for us as we went through the process. Everyone kind of sees the measurables, the size as far as the height and the weight.

“What he did for TCU from his versatility, I thought, was really, really special. His ability to kind of catch-and-run, he was a fly-sweep guy. He got the ball in a lot of different ways. You saw a lot of versatility in his game that maybe, initially, someone may not have necessarily anticipated. We were really excited that he was there and available for us.”

Johnston will have to prove himself to see a significant number of snaps in the regular season but should benefit from the mentorship of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams when training camp begins in July.

For his part, Moore seems committed to converting on every ounce of promise that Johnston showed on film last season. With some time, the seasoned coordinator could unlock hidden potential in his newest offensive weapon.

2023 NFL draft: Watch best college highlights of new Chargers WR Derius Davis

Get familiar with Derius Davis, the newest member of the Chargers.

After taking a TCU receiver in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, the Chargers decided to take another on Day 3 in the fourth round. Derius Davis is the newest member of the team.

While he won’t be much of a contributor on offense early on, Davis is the favorite to be the return man, as he was arguably the best in college football in this department.

Check out his best collegiate highlights below to get more familiar with Davis’ game:

 

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston expresses excitement to play with Justin Herbert

Quentin Johnston’s excitement to work with Justin Herbert was palpable in his first remarks as a member of the Chargers.

The Chargers drafted wide receiver Quentin Johnston with the No. 21 overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night. After hearing his name called, he spoke to reporters about his trajectory in an offense spearheaded by quarterback Justin Herbert.

Asked about what it might be like to play with Herbert, Johnston’s excitement to work with the veteran signal-caller was palpable.

“[He is a] great quarterback,” Johnston said. “I saw the call pop up and I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a great quarterback to be playing under.’ I shouldn’t have any problem coming in early and adjusting, soaking up as much stuff as I can from him as far as just football in general.

I feel like I need to come in, as a young guy, as a sponge, taking in as much information as I need to. Then, eventually, clicking with the quarterback and gaining that trust from him.”

Los Angeles needed an explosive element, which is something that Johnston brings. He has the deep speed that makes him a threat down the field and he is prone to take short passes to the house, with his acceleration, wiggle and play strength.

If he is as eager to share the field with Herbert as he let on in his first remarks as a Charger, the pair should become fast friends on the gridiron as Los Angeles looks to put together a bounce-back campaign next season.