Quentin Johnston is NOT your teams’ future WR1

First Round Mock NFL Draft Analyst Zachary Turpin thinks TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston doesn’t belong in the first…or even second-round of the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft.

#1 Quentin Johnston

6-foot-4, 215 pounds, 21 years old

Position: Wide Receiver (WR)

2022 stats: 60 receptions (96 targets for a catch rate of 63%) 1,069 yards (17.8 avg.), 6 TD, long-76

Games evaluated (click to view games watched to form this scouting report):

Michigan ’22

Kansas State ’22

Oklahoma State ’22

Pros: Big enough to break tackles but not shifty. He has a good feel for defenders around him at point of catch and snaps off the top of his routes with authority.

Cons: Slow release off the line and he disappears for games at a time. He’s a very undisciplined route runner and an unenthusiastic run blocker.

What does the game film say about Johnston?

I was excited to turn on this guys’ tape. I had heard through many different channels that this is an elite WR1, top-end prospect, and an easy first-rounder.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I popped on the game film and saw a receiver with bad route discipline, iffy hands, and a horrible effort in the run game.

Johnston profiles as an “X” receiver (the receiver who lines up on the line of scrimmage and fits the description of a typical team’s No. 1 wideout).

Let’s talk about what that means…

I expect to see strong hands at the catch point, the natural instincts to use his size as an advantage, and of course the ability to highpoint the football when matched up.

Don’t hold your breath, because with Johnston we are 0/3.

Given his size, this receiver should have a highlight tape chock-full of highpoint contested catches – – the things we were used to seeing back when former receiving legend Randy Moss played, but with Johnston it doesn’t exist.

We have only a single highlight of this nature from Johnston over the course of an entire season.

Every time the ball is up, Johnston allows it to get deep into his body for a ‘safe catch’ instead of being able to highpoint the ball. Not only is this a bad habit, but it points to a player who doesn’t trust his hands. He also “double catches” way too often. These things may have worked in college, but in the NFL, the margins are slim.

Let’s move on…

Johnston’s size at least will help in the run game where he can use his big body to wall off smaller defensive backs to help his team…

WRONG.

Johnston does not care to block. It’s so bad that given his release off the line, you can instantly tell that it’s a run play given his low-effort level.

Can that be fixed by coaching?

Sure it can, but I’m not using a first-round pick on a player who only gives 100% when the ball may come his way.

Wait until you hear this…

I can only rag on a player for so long, even I’m getting tired of it, but before I move on, let me make one more point. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Route running.

A good route runner can make up for athletic deficiencies with craftiness and agility.

Johnston has a very small and undisciplined route tree. I’ll give him credit as he can snap off hook and curl routes with authority. He creates good separation when employing this part of his arsenal.

Other than that?

Forget about it.

Johnston runs drag routes that end up five yards behind the line of scrimmage by the time he catches the ball. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Can this be coached out?

Sure it can, but I need more discipline and awareness if I’m dropping a first-round pick on a player.

Glimmer of hope

The one thing he does well is run after the catch. He always seems to have a good idea of where the defender is as he is catching the ball. Often, he shakes the first defender and bounces off another one, which creates valuable opportunities to gain extra yardage.

At least that one ability that provides some hope.

Final thoughts:

Johnston is a big receiver who plays small.

Many teams are looking for a true alpha WR1, but Johnston is not that guy.

My grade is being generous.

2023 NFL Draft Grade: Third-Round

Zachary Turpin is a lifelong football fan with real football experience prioritizing the offensive side of the ball. Specialties include QB/WR/RB. His most recent scouting experience came in the 2021 draft where he labeled both Zach Wilson and Trey Lance busts while they were touted as top-5 prospects. Turpin is an aspiring NFL coach who covers the NFL draft on FirstRoundMock.com.