Chargers Rookie Quentin Johnston Gets Decent Grade After Preseason Opener

A mixed bag for the rookie's first showing.

One key that every NFL team looks for is just how good their draft picks perform no matter what round they're picked at. 

The higher the draft pick, the higher the expectations on the player and the Bolts' first selection of Quentin Johnston was graded for his up-and-down preseason opener. 

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Given that many had concerns with Johnston's hands, his drops in the preseason opener will stoke that fire. He was able to make amends with a touchdown on a catch in tight quarters later in the game. 

via Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Johnston's main knockout of the draft was securing catches, and with multiple dropped balls in his first showing, the former TCU star might be skeptical of his selection. 

In recent years another highly picked wide receiver similarly struggled with drops in the preseason, but when games started counting, the stats racked up for a former LSU Tiger. 

Ja'marr Chase was that player for the Bengals, and many were clamoring for Cincinnati to take an offensive tackle and former teammate of Justin Herbert, Penei Sewell, from Oregon to help Joe Burrow stay upright. 

Instead, Burrow has gone vertical, deep, short, and every other direction with his previous no. 1 target in the Bayou, culminating in a Super Bowl run against the Rams at Sofi Stadium. 

Drops are no doubt troubling for any receiver, but if Johnston can follow in Chase's footsteps to shake off those issues, he should be a key piece for the Charger offense this season. 

After all, Johnston still managed to score a touchdown in LA's initial preseason win and catch two more passes in the contest. 

Perhaps shaking off these first-game jitters for his first NFL experience is just what Johnston needs to succeed for a long time with his new team.