Saints 2023 Draft Prospect: Quentin Johnston

If one of the draft's most physically imposing wideouts slips in the first round, he could be too tempting for New Orleans to pass up.

New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas agreed to a reworking of his contract this offseason that keeps him with the team through 2023. It was a crucial move for the Saints because Thomas is one of the NFL's most dominant offensive players when healthy. 

Of course, health has been the major issue with Thomas. The 30-year-old receiver has missed 40 of the last 50 games, including all of 2021 and the last 14 contests of 2022. New Orleans ranked dead last in passing production in 2021 and struggled to make plays in the middle of the field. 

First-round rookie Chris Olave and undrafted Rashid Shaheed had terrific years for the Saints in 2022, but each are best in open space. New Orleans signed big-bodied wideout Bryan Edwards this offseason, a former teammate of new QB Derek Carr. Look for the Saints to add more physicality at the position through the draft. 

This year’s draft class doesn't have a lot of highly graded talent at the top, but looks extremely deep into the middle rounds. One of the top-rated wideouts is a physical specimen that might even drop to the Saints at Number 29 overall. 

WR - Quentin Johnston, TCU

6'3" 208-Lbs. (Jr.)

Oct 15, 2022; TCU Horned Frogs receiver Quentin Johnston (1) makes a leaping catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

A four-star high school recruit, Johnston spurned Texas for TCU and made an instant impact. He caught 115 balls for 2,190 yards and 14 touchdowns over three years with the Horned Frogs. Johnston finished his collegiate career strong, pulling in 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns for the National Runner-Ups. He'd earn two consecutive All-Big 12 honors. 

Johnston has prototype size for the position, but also game-breaking speed and deep ball ability. His long stride quickly opens up ground on defenders in space. Johnston also has tremendous leaping ability to give him an even greater advantage against coverage. He was second among all wideouts at the NFL Scouting Combine in the broad jump (11'2") and vertical jump (40.5")

Despite his size and length, Johnston can struggle in traffic. He has an outstanding catch radius, but didn't always show that in congestion by fully extending, also causing some struggles with drops. His breaks and route deception could also lack at times. This should improve with an expanded route tree in the NFL.

Outside of his measurables, Johnston was a consistent big-play threat. His stride eats up off-ball coverage in an instant. He has outstanding body control and aggression along the sideline and is a breakaway threat with the ball after short receptions. 

Dec 31, 2022; TCU Horned Frogs receiver Quentin Johnston (1) makes a catch against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Quentin Johnston is one of three receivers consistently projected to be selected between the middle to mid-20s of the first round. He joins Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio St.) and Jordan Addison (USC) at the top of the draft class, but could be the first taken because of his length/speed combination. 

Johnston certainly has the skills to be an NFL playmaker. To be an elite receiver, he'll have to learn how to use his natural physical stature better in traffic. If he's still available at Number 29, the Saints might find his high ceiling too tempting to pass up.