Can Chargers Rookie Quentin Johnston Overcome Drop Concerns?

Johnston has one job: catch the ball

When it came to the 2023 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers went all in, snagging TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston right off the bat. Whether they were desperate for that pick or not, the Chargers didn't bat an eye. They had their sights set on Johnston, a wide receiver with the potential to light up the field. And lately, he's been turning heads during training camp, impressing coaches and teammates alike with his moves.

However, every player's got their Achilles' heel, and it's a bit ironic for Johnston. He's got this little hiccup with catching the ball, something you definitely wouldn't want in a wide receiver. Back in his TCU days, the man had his share of focus drops, especially in 2022. We're talking about eight drops in that year alone; however, he still managed to have a great season. 

Nonetheless, as luck would have it, we got a front-row seat to witness this weakness in action during his first preseason game. The poor guy dropped a pass that was definitely within his grasp.

The dude's got some serious ups when it comes to snagging balls in the air. But, when the ball's thrown in a normal way, he sometimes lets it sneak into his chest, leading to those wonky drops we talked about.

All that stuff is bad, but the good thing is these hiccups are fixable, and the Chargers will fix them. 

Remember back in the 2021 preseason when Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals had everyone hyperventilating over his dropped balls? Look how that turned out – he rocked his rookie season. Johnston might not follow the exact same path, but there's potential for impact, especially considering the Chargers already boast two superstar wide receivers.

Give the guy some time to settle into the NFL groove. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a pro football career. It might not be an instant makeover, but Johnston's exactly what the Chargers need. He's the type of player that QB Justin Herbert can feed off of, creating that spark LA is craving. So, patience, folks – let's watch this story unfold and see Johnston bloom into the game-changer we're hoping for.