The Curious Case of Quentin Johnston

-Third Year Breakout or Backup?

07/25/2025 - Article by Nate P. (@BallCoach_Nate on X)

Background

High School

-Offers from Duke, Virginia Tech, Tulsa, Houston, TCU, Oklahoma, Texas.

-Committed to Texas in 2019 before switching to TCU 5 months later.

College

-3 years at TCU

-2020: 22 Receptions, 487 Yards, 2 TDs

-2021: 33 Receptions, 604 Yards, 6 TDs

-2022: 60 Receptions, 1,067 Yards, 6 TDs 

NFL

-Drafted as the 1^st round, 23^rd overall pick in 2023 by former GM Tom Telesco and HC Brandon Staley who were later fired that year. 

-2023: 38 Receptions, 431 Yards, 2 TDs

-0.88 Y/RR

-7/23 Contested Catches

-2024: 55 Receptions, 711 Yards, 8 TDs

-1.63 Y/RR

-7/22 Contested Catches

Jersey #: 1

DOB: 09/06/2001

NFL Games Played: 32

Position: WR (Wide: 88.8%, Slot: 11.2%)

Injuries

-10/2/2021: Knee Strain – missed 3 games

-10/29/2022: Ankle Sprain – did not miss time but re-injured ankle next week

-10/5/2022: Ankle Sprain – reinjured after playing 2 snaps

-10/19/2022: Ankle Sprain – reinjured and missed 1 game before returning to play in Big 12 Championship game

10/13/2024: Ankle Sprain – suffered ankle injury in week 6 against the Broncos and missed 2 games.

Measurables

Height: 6’ 2 and ¾ inches (76^th percentile)

Weight: 208 lbs (65^th percentile)

Wingspan: 81 and 5/8^th inches (96^th percentile)

Arm Length: 33 and 5/8^th inches (91^st percentile)

Hand Size: 9 and 5/8^th inches (69^th percentile)

40 Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds (unofficial, pro day – 44^th percentile)

Vertical Jump: 40.5” (93^rd percentile)

Broad Jump: 11’2” (97^th percentile)

source: https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Quentin-Johnston-WR-TCU

Context Summary

3^rd year WR who started 22 of 33 NFL games, including 12 of 16 games in 2024. In 2023, played under Brandon Staley (HC), Kellen Moore (OC), Tom Arth (Pass Game Specialist), and Chris Beatty (WR Coach).  In 2024, played under Jim Harbaugh (HC), Greg Roman (OC), Marcus Brady (Pass Game Coordinator), and Sanjay Lal (WR Coach).  In 2025, he’ll have the same exact coaching staff which is great continuity as he learns and grows.  Played mostly out wide (88.8% of the time through 2 seasons) but also played a little more in the slot in 2024 (11.9%). 

Physical Profile / Athletic Ability

-Excellent vertical and broad jump

-Very good height, arm length and wingspan. 

-Good weight and change of direction

-Adequate speed and hand size

-Poor 3 cone and shuttle times

Strengths

-very savvy route runner vs zone

-has a good feel for windows and can stop on a dime + get up field

-good ability to make defenders miss, break arm tackles and get extra YAC

Weaknesses

-press coverage gives QJ fits

-does not possess quickness to turn CB at the line of scrimmage

-does not possess speed to stack CB on Fades / Posts

-does not show ability to win a jump ball

-does not high point the ball, let it comes to his body even when leaving his feet

-does not show consistent ability to come back to the ball and help QB

-tight hips, trouble getting in and out of breaks

-poor hands, drops too many easy ones

Scheme Fit

I think he would play best as a slot WR or motioned across formations to get away from the press and jams.  Stop running fades and target more hitches, drags, screens, digs to highlight his strengths. 

Grades (1 worst – 7 best)

Athletic Ability: 6

Mental Processing: 3

Competitive Toughness: 2

Play Strength: 3

Play Speed: 3

Release: 3

Separation Quickness: 2

Hands: 1

Adjust/Body Control: 2

YAC: 5

2024 Breakdown

-Played 88.8% of snaps from out wide (3^rd most in NFL)

-93 Targets, 55 receptions, 711 yards, 8 TDs

-5.7 YAC (21^st)

-1.77 Y/RR (40^th)

-13 Missed Tackles Forced (16^th)

-Caught 7 of 20 contested targets (16^th worst in NFL)

-Caught 1 of 9 targets vs KC wk 4 and BAL

-Only had 1 game over 51 yards from weeks 1 to 17

2025 Projection

-With the departure of Josh Palmer also comes the arrival of Tre Harris.  Tre Harris is a very similar build as QJ (6’3” – 210lbs) but profiles more as the X in this offense.  I can see Harris lined up as a single WR on one side of the formation while there are two or three weapons on the other side.

-I see QJ being the odd man out of 2 WR sets (12/21 personnel) with Tre and Ladd being on the field. 

2025 Stat Predictions: 

84 Targets, 64 Receptions, 823 yards, 5 TDs