Wide receiver Quentin Johnston has not lived up to his first-round draft capital, and Jim Harabugh’s Chargers could trade him in the coming weeks. Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the TCU product struggled as a rookie, hauling in just 38 of his 67 targets for 431 yards, two touchdowns, and a 58.9 PFF grade, the 94th-best mark out of 128 eligible receivers. He improved in Year 2 with a 67.4 PFF grade but still left something to be desired, especially during the team’s one-sided Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
Currently behind Ladd McConkey on the depth chart, Johnston could fall further down the pecking order following the offseason additions of old friend Mike Williams and second-round pick Tre Harris. Given Harbaugh’s tendency to run the football as much as possible, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Ballentine believes the Chargers could try and trade Quentin Johnston. While he may not live up to his first-round billing, several teams across the league could roll the dice on him.
Bleacher Report: Chargers Could Trade Quentin Johnston
Possible Fits
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have a great young playmaker in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and took a gamble on the talented but aging and oft-injured Cooper Kupp. Even if Kupp works out in 2025, he’s not a long-term fix at the position. Seattle needs another reliable weapon to properly support quarterback Sam Darnold, and Quentin Johnston could be the man for the job. While he’s not a true go-to target, last year proved he has what it takes to be a depth option in the right passing attack.
Los Angeles Rams
After parting ways with Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams effectively replaced him with star wide receiver Davante Adams. Just like Kupp, Adams can be a short-term fix for this team, but he’s much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Los Angeles must find a long-term answer at wide receiver alongside Puka Nacau, especially since Matthew Stafford could call it a career after the season. The Rams next quarterback will need weapons to increase their odds of success, and a Quentin Johnston trade could help with that development.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints face the unenviable task of trying to develop a young quarterback with a terrible roster. The offensive line is a mess, and while Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are an adequate receiver duo on paper, Olave’s extensive concussion history makes it unlikely that he will play a full 17-game season. Whether it’s Spencer Rattler or rookie Tyler Shough, Mickey Loomis must add more talent to this roster, and a Quentin Johnston trade shouldn’t cost anything more than a late-round pick.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are in a period of transition. While Brock Purdy received his massive extension, the team needs somebody to catch the ball. Deebo Samuel is gone, Brandon Aiyuk is returning from his season-ending injury, and 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is battling a hamstring injury. Someone must catch the ball for Brock Purdy, and a Quentin Johnston trade could be a way for the organization to land a healthy playmaker who could still develop into a reliable option.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – Imagn Images
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