Can Quentin Johnston Be Chargers' WR1?

Los Angeles Chargers sophomore wide receiver Quentin Johnston put forth another impressive performance in Sunday's 20-10 Week 3 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnston recorded two receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. He's starting to develop into Justin Herbert's go-to target.

Johnston opened the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown. It appeared to be a blown coverage on the back end. Either way, Herbert took advantage by locating a streaking Johnston into the end zone.

It was an appropriate follow-up performance by Johnston, who recorded five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout victory over the Carolina Panthers last week. Johnston already has three touchdowns through three contests, surpassing his rookie-year total of two scores. His second-year growth has been evident.

Johnston saw a team-high six targets in that contest. On Sunday, he scored a touchdown despite seeing just two passes thrown in his direction. Four Chargers pass-catchers saw more targets, including Ladd McConkey, Will Dissly, J.K. Dobbins, and Simi Fehoko. Johnston should be more involved versus the Kansas City Chiefs in what could be a high-scoring affair next week.

Johnston reached a top speed of 17.16 mph against the Steelers, according to Next Gen Stats. In Week 2, he reached 19.35 mph. Taking blown coverage into account, the former TCU standout created an average separation of 7.19 yards. The league-average mark is just 2.96. Johnston also created an above-average 3.14 yards of separation last week. He's been faster and more explosive this season and is creating more separation from defensive backs, which was a consistent concern throughout 2023.

Johnston is a much-improved player. He ranked 61st among 63 qualifying receivers in yards per route run last season, according to FantasyPros. Chargers quarterbacks saw a passer rating of just 82.3 when targeting him in the passing game. Herbert's current passer rating when throwing the ball in Johnston's direction is 140.8. Talk about an upward trajectory.

Johnston has been elusive after the catch for Herbert as well, creating 6.2 yards after catch per reception, according to Pro Football Focus' charting. That mark was 4.0 throughout his rookie campaign. Johnston has 14-plus yards after catch in every appearance thus far. The playmaking receiver did that on just six occasions all of last season.

New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman possess a much better grip on what Johnston does well and they're placing him in positions to succeed. That was a constant struggle for Brandon Staley and Kellen Moore last season. Johnston has undoubtedly benefited from the regime change.

Johnston really struggled with efficiency and drops as a rookie last season. He looks like a completely different receiver in year two, a faster, more explosive one who's running routes with confidence, scoring touchdowns, and forcing missed tackles in space. Johnston's glow-up has been very impressive.