Draft Analysis: Quentin Johnston

January 17, 2023 /
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 208 lb
  • College: TCU
  • Tape watched: Oklahoma State, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan, Georgia
  • College Comparison: Martavis Bryant

Pros

  • Route Running
    Watching someone with Johnston’s size run routes so exquisitely is a real treat. He understands coverages and how to stem defenders in his favor. Johnston glides across the field effortlessly. The details in Johnston’s game are impressive to say the least.
Johnston turns the corner’s hips and its game over.
One of my favorites of Johnston, he attacks the mesh point and breaks off last second.
The active hands and arm fighting through deep routes is special and a trait that gets ignored often. Details create big plays!
  • Catch Radius
    Just a beast of a target, Johnston is one of the most forgiving receivers for a quarterback in the draft. With his body control, long frame, and great hands he will erase some poorly thrown incompletions.
  • Release
    Johnston moves so well for his size, and his matchups in the NFL will be at a big disadvantage if he continues to improve. He has an exceptional burst out of hesitations, jab steps, and even punch releases. A good press corner may give Johnston trouble with contact, but he faired well in college.

Midline

  • YAC
    For his size, Johnston’s YAC ability is notable. I am not as high as most in his ability to create, but I understand he has traits that could produce extra yardage. He usually looks to find the angle and outrun defenders.
  • Hands
    Johnston displays great hands and strength to secure the football, I just wish he would use his hands more often. There were a few times the ball was incomplete, or even intercepted in situations where a hand catch would have eliminated the issue.

Cons

  • Frame
    With the possibility of Johnston measuring in at 6’4″ and around 200 lb, there is concern for his body to withstand an NFL season. Johnston has a visibly smaller lower body frame, which historically has not faired well injury-wise in the NFL. He certainly does not look like the 215 pound advertisement given by TCU’s official roster. Kevin White, Laquon Treadwell, and Breshad Perriman come to mind of similar frames that did not translate well to the NFL in terms of health.
  • Aggressiveness
    Pairing with the midline grade on his hands, there is a lack of aggressiveness that Johnston can sometimes show. Whether it is his lack of interest in blocking, or just finishing contested catches. Johnston played through injuries his 2022 season, and that may have played a part. If I am investing a top 15 draft pick in a 6’4″ receiver, however, I need him to be aggressive.
Johnston could have done a better job to flatten down and use his hands to keep the ball away from the defender.

Overview

Quentin Johnston is a special wide receiver prospect with size and speed rarely seen in the NFL. Johnston nearly averaged 20 yards per catch in his three years at TCU, showcasing his big play ability. The NFL is all about size and speed, but rarely does that pairing find itself at the receiver position. Injury concerns are real with Johnston, who played his first “full” season in college in 2022 (missing one game, but playing in two CFB playoff games). A true first round talent, Johnston needs to pack on healthy weight and continue to develop as a contested catch receiver.