2023 NFL Draft Profile: WR Quentin Johnston

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Few wide receivers in this draft class can boast the measurables as Quentin Johnston. A key component of TCU’s remarkable 2022 season. Johnston exited the season with six touchdowns and 17.8 yards per catch. The Temple, Texas native accumulated 2190 yards on one-hundred-fifteen catches. Additionally, the wideout earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Strengths

If you look up preferred measurables of height, weight, and speed, Johnston fits the bill. Despite his angular frame, he effortlessly streaks down the field. Instead of longer strides to build up eventual speed, the TCU product uses powerful steps and placement to generate elite speed. Either corners will need to match the speed vertically or have safety help over the top. As mentioned, Johnston’s frame belies the elusiveness in space. Routinely, you will see a little wiggle on screens and underneath routes to create separation that you’d expect from a smaller receiver. At the next level, Johnston’s ability to trace near-flawless routes should be used in bunch and combo sets, allowing that speed to confound defenses.

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Weaknesses

Whether it’s concentration or timing, Johnston puts the ball on the ground far too often. Those eight drops raise a slight, early red flag. Now, that can be corrected with intense drilling. However, what must follow the catchwork are the intangibles. For his size, Johnston does not embrace the physical aspect in two separate, but very important ways. First, Johnston does not use his size advantage to clear out defenders via blocking. The film shows that he will either whiff or not pose any threat to blocking plays. Some NFL head coach is going to have a long, rather profane exchange over that. Next, you’d think that Johnston would thrive on a jump ball and contact catches. On Sundays, he will need body cornerbacks, especially in the red zone, where his probable draft status will dictate targets.

Ideal Role

Until he decreases the number of drops/bobbles, Johnston needs to start as a number-two wide receiver. The team that drafts him must already have a number-one wideout, at least in the beginning. To thrust Johnston into the top option on the team right off the bat could be a rather large mistake. Meanwhile, a smart team will ease the former Horned Frog standout into the flow. Basically, someone needs to mentor the player. After an apprenticeship, Johnston should, and the key word is should, step up and assume the mantle of cornerstone player. For all of his immense physical traits, Johnston’s future path remains up to him and how sharp the NFL learning curve is.

Potential Fits

In all honesty, two teams jump right off the page, as far as perfect homes for Johnston. The Dallas Cowboys, for all of their offensive success, sorely lack another wideout. Make no mistake, this is CeeDee Lamb’s team. Yet, the offense lacked a bit of dynamism that another outside receiver would bring. Johnston easily walks in as the second option, shifting doubles away from Lmab and opening up the middle-deep for Dallas. On the other hand, Cleveland provides a similar home, role, and fit for the rookie. Amari Cooper somehow is still under the age of thirty. For better or worse, Cleveland mortgaged their future to land Deshaun Watson. As a result, adding another talented wideout to that scheme fixes what ailed the Browns since Odell Beckham, Jr left town. Quentin Johnston is either going to make a coach extremely happy with the traits or phenomenally angry with the lack of physicality and drops.