Quentin Johnston

Last week, Quentin Johnston saw his usage bounce back with a 17.2% target share and a team-leading 23.5% first-read share. He finished with four receptions, 53 receiving yards, and a score as the WR23 for the week. It was his best performance since Week 4, and he's primed to build upon it this week. Pittsburgh has the third-highest single high rate in the NFL (61.2%). Prior to his hamstring injury (Weeks 1-4), against single high, Johnston had a 25.8% target share, 2.46 yards per route run, and a 30.4% first-read share. With the reemergence of Ladd McConkey in recent weeks, I don't know if Johnston gets back to that type of usage, but I do think he'll likely be a top-two target for Justin Herbert this week against this single high heavy defense. Since Week 5, the Steelers have allowed the most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.

With Oronde Gadsden emerging and Ladd McConkey reclaiming WR1 status...QJ is will be tough to trust and difficult for fantasy managers to deal with. It's now 3 games since his injury that his targets have tanked (sub-18% target shares).
Something has also happened to Keenan Allen, who is entering a similar TD or bust territory with his targets falling off in the last two contests. We know that these Chargers WRs have weekly upside. They play Dallas in Week 16. Even if QJ/Allen rides your bench or is a boom/bust option until Week 16...that one game alone could make them worth targeting/rostering as I explained last week. That being said...Johnston is still PFF's 35th-lowest graded WR this season. The lowest among the top-3 Bolts WRs.
Long story short - all these Chargers WRs/TEs have tremendously weekly upside. If somebody is undervaluing that week-winning potential. I'd take advantage. Like we saw with QJ's injury...just takes one guy to miss for the production floodgates to open for the other Chargers pass-catchers. But if the volatile nature of QJ is too much - or he just can't be dealt then I think you have to hold him. A very price-dependent player that should be traded a lot. I think there's a price where QJ and/or Allen is serviceable, but they project to be very boom-or-bust. When the Chargers get Omarion Hampton back they could lean on the ground game more. Also FWIW, the Chargers ROS for WRs in near the bottom of the league (playoffs withstanding of course). Layer in the OL injuries with Joe Alt - and the offense becomes more of an issue. Alt will miss the rest of the season with his ankle injury. Bobby Hart also got hurt versus the Titans. The OL injuries are a big concern for Quentin Johnston - given he runs the most deep/go routes. Less time makes it more likely Herbert goes to his quick outlets - ie, his slot WRs and his tight end who can create yards after the catch. So, although I opened this section a bit pessimistic on Allen...he leads the Chargers in targets Weeks 4-7 when Joe Alt played just 10 snaps. We might see his targets bounce back - so I think he's a hold if you didn't already trade him away. QJ very much remains the sell-high after the TD grab. Schedule is tough over the next four weeks for WRs and bottom-7 ROS.
Over the next four games...the Chargers have the worst schedule for WRs in the NFL.