WR Quentin Johnston named fit for Jaguars in 2023 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars revamped their wide receiver corps in the offseason but the group is still missing a true No. 1. And if the team’s brass wants to invest their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in the position, they should strongly consider going after Quentin Johnston. Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus thinks the TCU standout would be a perfect fit in the Jags.

Renner put together a list of prospect/team fits he’d love to see in the 2023 draft and he argues that Jacksonville would benefit from drafting Johnston. Renner believes their offense is missing a vertical threat and argues that the Texas native would fit the bill.

"Although the Jaguars receiving corps has improved, the team still very much needs a consistent vertical threat on the outside. Remember, Trevor Lawrence was one of the best go-ball and back-shoulder throwers in recent college football history at Clemson with Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross.At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Johnston is firmly in that mold and has some of the best explosion at the receiver position in the draft class. He’s also a Mack Truck after the catch, as he has broken 42 tackles on 100 receptions in his career."

Johnston didn’t get nearly as much playing time in his first two collegiate seasons and it wasn’t until 2023 that he become a big part of TCU’s offense, hauling in 45 receptions for 716 yards with five touchdowns.

Quentin Johnston would be a fit for the Jaguars but there are bigger needs

The Jags signed Christian Kirk and Zay Jones in free agency. They also traded for Calvin Ridley before this year’s trade deadline, so drafting Johnston in 2023 might feel a bit like overkill. Nevertheless, their offense could still use a deep threat that can draw coverage away from other receivers. On the other hand, Jacksonville will have bigger needs next offseason, and allocating yet more resources to their wide receiver corps seems excessive.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor, defensive end Arden Key, edge rusher Dawuane Smoot, tight end Evan Engram are all slated to become free agents and the Jags won’t be able to bring all of them back, so they will need to look for their potential replacements in next year’s draft.

The Jags won’t likely add an offensive lineman in the first round due to the presence of sophomore Walker Little but it would be a good idea to bolster their defensive front. Their front seven has struggled to stop the run and consistently apply pressure, so if they are in the position to take someone like Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, they shouldn’t pass it up.

Given the fact that the Jaguars hold the No. 5 overall pick following their 27-17 loss to the Chiefs, they might have a legitimate shot to land Carter and maybe Anderson but if they end with a selection outside of the top 10, they should consider choosing Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, who would give Trevor Lawrence yet another weapon on offense.

In the end, the Jags need to find a playmaker with their first-round pick in next year’s draft and Johnston would certainly fit the bill. Having said that, they can’t rule out addressing other positions.