Can Quentin Johnston keep it going? (Reception Perception)
This week, more legal trouble has emerged for five-time All Pro WR Tyreek Hill; Pittsburgh has signed former first round pick Jabrill Peppers to add to its safety depth after DeShon Elliott was injured in Week One; and J.J. McCarthy came up big in his first NFL game to lead the Vikings to a dramatic comeback win on MNF against the Bears. Other Fantasy football stories we’re tracking include…
Is Quentin Johnston for Real?
There was talk that the Los Angeles Chargers were a prime candidate to take a step back this season in the wake of their big 11-win campaign in 2024. Well, so far, so good, as the Bolts finally ended a seven-game skid against the Chiefs, beating them 27-21 in Brazil in Week One.
So perhaps regression is not in the cards for Los Angeles, but you do have to wonder if WR Quentin Johnston can maintain the standard he set for himself in the season debut.
When he entered the league, we expected him to get a fair bit of volume as a rookie, but several first-year receivers earned far more targets.
Despite missing two games last season, Johnston stepped up in his sophomore year, pulling in 55 receptions on 91 targets for 711 yards, upping his YPR and scoring way more TDs. And based on his Week One showing (five catches on seven targets for 79 yards with two touchdowns and an 80.6 per cent snap rate), he’s poised to take another big step this season.
Or is he? Johnston has been anything but consistent in his first two seasons, so could he be a sell high candidate?
The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed at WR, with studs Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen above Johnston in the pecking order, but the offensive strategy seems to have changed from last year – at least so far. In 2024, L.A. used three or more wide receivers on passing plays just over three quarters of the time; in Week One, they did so nearly 90 per cent of the time, so perhaps all three of these dudes can thrive.
Maybe Johnston will remain a key component of the Charger pass attack, and for the time being, he looks like a solid flex option over the next few games, perhaps even a decent WR4.
Don’t forget that when he came out of TCU, scouts believed he’d ultimately become a plus starter because of his perfect combination of size, length and speed on the outside.
A Parallel Jaguar Universe
After bottoming out with just four wins last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars made a big splash to trade up to No. 2 in the NFL draft and select Travis Hunter. And sure, it’s very early, but judging by their very complete effort in beating Carolina 26-10 in Week One, the Jags won’t be picking nearly as high in 2026 draft – assuming they can even get a first round pick after dealing theirs away in the aforementioned trade.
Regardless, the Liam Coen era is off to a very promising start.
But let’s dream a bit. Imagine a universe in which Jacksonville somehow lands the No. 2 overall pick again next year. Right now, the player with the second highest odds to go No. 1 in 2026 (+500 as per FanDuel) is South Carolina sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
He enjoyed an impressive first season with the Gamecocks, leaving him as someone we suggested needed to be watched this year.
In the season opener, Sellers picked up where he left off in 2024, racking up 209 yards on 19 passes with one TD pass while adding 25 yards rushing and one TD rush. He wasn’t quite as sharp in Week Two, completing just 11-of-19 with one TD and fewer carries on the ground. Sellers’ accuracy is down so far, but he’s counterbalanced that by not throwing a pick yet.
No. 11 South Carolina is off to a good start, but Sellers has not been at his best, and coach Shane Beamer wants to see more from this future NFL QB.
Sellers has the athletic ability to emerge as one of the top QBs in the NFL, assuming he can fully realize his potential. This is a player Dynasty league owners will want to follow closely this season.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O’Malley Armstrong is the full name of the English songwriter known simply as Dido. In 2003, she released her second album, Life for Rent, and the fourth single was “Sand in My Shoes.” The song didn’t do great in the U.K., but hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Party chart, marking the fourth time she topped that particular list.