EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston might be surprising fantasy football players with his start to the season. However, his strong play isn’t a shock to his offensive coordinator.
“I said when I first got here that he’s got immense talent, and it’s great to see him starting to tap into it and realize it,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said this week. Johnston has three touchdowns after having two last season. He leads the Chargers (2-1) in receiving yards (133) and is tied for the lead in receptions (10) ahead of Sunday's game against visiting Kansas City (3-0).
During his first media availability in February, Roman compared Johnston to one of his former receivers during his two-year tenure with Buffalo because of his movement skills and the way he challenged defensive backs. That receiver was Sammy Watkins. Like Johnston, Watkins struggled as a rookie in Buffalo before having what would turn out to be career bests in receiving yards (1,047) and touchdowns (nine) in 2015, which was Roman’s first season as the Bills' offensive coordinator.
Watkins played nine seasons with five teams, with his first three in Buffalo after being the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft. Johnston also has two receptions of at least 25 yards, equaling his total from last season. This season, both have gone for touchdowns, including a 27-yard grab last week at Pittsburgh, where he was wide open on a go route after safety Minkah Fitzpatrick got caught s.
