I think that there are major frame issues with Quentin Johnston, and he plays a lot smaller than he’s measured in at. He’s slender, he doesn’t carry 208 pounds very well, and he has strength issues. That being said, when he has the ball in his hands, there is no doubt that he is special. He can create big plays with his run-after-catch ability and is very explosive. I’d just like to see him play up to his size more often and be more consistent in those terms. 

Johnston is one of those players who looks like he could explode onto the scene with the right scheme fit, but finding that fit should prove very difficult. I think there is some suitable upside to his game. He has a lot of technique to work out and can work on expanding his route tree significantly. I don’t know if he will be capable expanding his route tree, or if he will have to ever really improve on the technique. 

Quentin Johnston is much bigger and more athletic than Jordan Addison, Josh Downs, and Zay Flowers

pic.twitter.com/2pUxDhKUgQ

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) February 28, 2023

Stayed healthy most of his career. Well done to stay available. 

Quentin Johnston’s scouting report

Athletic Ability (25)

Speed/Athleticism: 15

• Speed (5/7) – Excellent athlete. Goodspeed for his size. Moves extremely well. 
• Change of Direction (4/4) – Insanely good change of direction. 
• Body Control (3.5/4) – Has some pretty insane body control. Makes defenders miss and have very impressive stop and go ability. Capable of making subtle moves to free himself through traffic without contact and without losing momentum. 

Explosiveness/Burst: 10

• Acceleration (3.5/5) – Acceleration is overall average. I don’t see a lot of get off with him. 
• Explosiveness (5/5) – Very explosive receiver. Tested insanely good. 

Receiver Fundamentals (25)

Route Running: 15 

• Footwork (5/7) – Shows some good footwork through his routes, especially going through breaks and timing routes. 
• Route Tree (2.5/5) – Ran a very limited route tree at TCU, wasn’t as effective as he could be at times. 
• Nuances (1.5/3) – Flashes some understanding and nuances at times but isn’t very consistent. 

Release/Control: 10

• Release Ability (3/5) – Release is okay but not great. Struggles to work through the physicality of press coverage.  
• Sideline Work (3/5) – Doesn’t show the consistency to get two feet inbounds. 

Catch Ability (25)

Catch Ability: 15 

• Natural Catch Ability (8/10) – Typically has great hands. Good strong attack at the catch point with a solid catch radius. Does a great job finding footballs. 
• Consistency (3/5) – Has the occasional concentration drop, and can struggle with fast balls. Dropped 8 passes last year, averaged around 10% over his career. 

Contested Catch Ability: 10 

• Vertical Ability (4/5) – Offers solid vertical ability that just doesn’t go up and contest catches as well as he could. 
• Through Contact (3.5/5) – Very physical receiver who wins at the catch point with his pure power. 35% contested catch receiver over the last two seasons. Was beat out for 7 interceptions in that span of time. 

Schematic Aspects (20)

Deep Threat/Red Zone: 10

• Deep Threat Rating (3/5) – Offers suitable deep threat ability but isn’t special. Don’t see a lot of the separation consistently that you want to see. 
• Red Zone Threat Rating (5) – Looks like he will be an overall average red zone player. Doesn’t stand out in any real special way. 

Run Blocking: 10

• Strength (2.5/5) – Was very rarely asked to run block, which is concerning especially considering his size. Was taken off of the field on run-downs. 
• Consistency (2.5/5) – Not a very consistent run blocker. Struggles to win his assignment. 

Overall: (76) – 2nd/3rd Round