Quentin

Johnston

Johnston will make a fully-guaranteed $18 million in 2027. It’s probably a bit rich given his production so far, but not a drastic overpay. GM Joe Hortiz shot down trade rumors about Johnston ahead of the draft and this transaction clearly signals some confidence in him developing further under new OC Mike McDaniel. With very little new in the wideout room, Johnston could be on the WR3/WR4 radar in fantasy in 2026.

Johnston has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but Hortiz shut them down on Thursday, saying he has not made any calls regarding the former first-rounder and that he and the team are “really excited about the wide receiver room” heading into this season. Johnston hasn’t quite lived up to the hype that made him the No. 21 overall pick in 2023, but the 6-foot-2 speedster has tallied over 700 yards in each of the last two seasons while also scoring eight touchdowns in both seasons. Johnston missed two games last season due to injury and was sidelined for a meaningless Week 18 game against the Broncos, but still finished with a career high of 735 yards. With Keenan Allen unlikely to return in 2026, if the Chargers don’t do much to address their receiver room in the draft, Johnston could have some nice mid-round value in the upcoming fantasy season.

Rhim also notes that “the right offer could quickly change” the team’s stance on Johnston, but that the team’s “decision-makers love Johnston.” The third-year vet and former first-round pick is due to have his fifth-year option exercised by May 1st, but it remains to be seen if the Chargers will opt into the extension for the 6-foot-2 speedster. Johnston caught 51 passes for 735 yards and eight touchdowns last season, nearly replicating his 55-711-8 line from 2024. Despite previous reports that Johnston could be available for a trade, it sounds like the belief is the team would prefer to retain him barring an unexpected trade offer they would have no choice but to accept.

Bateman had a disastrous season, managing just 224 yards and 38 targets in 12 starts. It would be surprising if the Ravens were able to get real value for him on the trade market. He’s under contract through 2030. No, really. Johnston is probably the most viable trade target of these three, but he didn’t exactly shake his reputation for inconsistency last season even if he did perform better than his first two years in the league.

The Chargers attempted to get Johnston going in the second half, but were unable to do so. The lanky wide receiver led the team in receiving touchdowns this year, catching 51-of-78 targets for 735 yards and eight touchdowns. Johnston was seemingly headed toward a career year early on, banking two WR1 finishes and two WR2 finishes in Weeks 1-4. His fantasy results became more volatile as the season progressed. Johnston has established himself as a capable tackle-breaking weapon and should compete for a starting role in 2026. His FLEX viability could simply come down to WR Tre’ Harris’ offseason development. Chargers veteran WR Keenan Allen is a free agent.

Johnston’s day was highlighted by a 60-yard gain on a go route down the left sideline, after running right past Texans CB Tremon Smith. The play fittingly occurred right after Smith put a late hit on QB Justin Herbert, who may have been looking to embarrass the defender. A few plays before that, Johnston got open on a comeback route, hauling in a 16-yard gain along the left sideline. He impressively beat Texans CB Kamari Lassiter on a 12-yard out route on the following drive and later picked up a first down inside the Texans’ red zone, helping to set up TE Oronde Gadsden III’s one-yard touchdown reception. Johnston is a boom-bust FLEX against the Broncos next week.

He won a couple of sideline go balls against the weak Dallas secondary, one for a spectacular one-handed touchdown, and another for a 50-yard gain early in the third quarter. The Chargers’ passing game is so spread around that it’s hard to get excited about anyone, but Johnston became the first Chargers receiver since Antonio Gates to have back-to-back seasons with eight or more touchdowns. It sure seems like Johnston will be low on the WR3 line against the Texans in Week 17.

Johnston returns after missing Week 15 to this groin injury that popped up during last Friday’s practice. Johnston will be a WR4 in a crowded Chargers’ receiver corps. Also active for the Chargers off the questionable line are Elijah Molden (hamstring) and Teair Tart (shin), while Bud Dupree (back) and Trey Pipkins (ankle) will be inactive from the questionable line. Also inactive for the Chargers are: WR Derius Davis, S RJ Mickens, CB Nikko Reed, G Branson Taylor and TE Tyler Conklin.

Johnston remained limited in practice all week, which is unfortunate. Johnston is not a weekly must-start, but he can deliver big plays in good matchups. The Cowboys’ wide receiver-coverage unit qualifies as one such matchup. If he can play, he will be at risk of suffering an in-game setback, but his ceiling is high enough for managers to consider starting him in some situations. Hopefully, he is good to go.

Johnston has a chance to suit up this week, but he remains in the questionable camp after logging another limited practice session. The Chargers could use their capable post-catch producer against the Cowboys this weekend, in what should be a fantasy-friendly game environment.