Why Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston over Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison: Revisiting LA decision to pick receiver

There was much intrigue in the 2023 NFL Draft surrounding the wide receiver position. The Chargers ultimately got their guy in TCU product Quentin Johnston in the first round at No. 21 overall.

Other candidates up for consideration around the same time in the draft included former Pittsburgh wideout Jordan Addison and Boston College receiver Zay Flowers.

Here's a look into why Los Angeles made the decision that it did.

MORE: Updated 2024 NFL Draft order: Patriots flirting with No. 1 overall pick

Why Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston over Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison

It all starts with Chargers scout Tyler Lyon. He scouted prospects in the area surrounding Johnston for players that were expected to declare as well as those who were between one and two years off from doing such.

He kept tabs on Johnston starting from his freshman year with the Horned Frogs. Over time, several other members of the Chargers staff kept just as close of an eye on Johnston and were equally as bought into him to the point it's easy to get the sense there was no other option for the team at the spot they drafted him from.

The Chargers were impressed by what Johnston brought to the table both from a tangibles and an intangibles perspective. Johnston's yards-after-catch ability was mentioned as a specific reason as to why Los Angeles selected him.

"He's big, strong and fast. That's a good way to start it off as a player," Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said of Johnston after the first round of the draft. "Great work ethic that we love. We know all these players that are drafted, they're all talented. But once they get in this league, it takes a lot of work to get to where you want to go and keep improving.

"He has some physical characteristics that we think he can add to our offense in a different role," Telesco continued. "We're trying to give Justin [Herbert], our whole offense and [Offensive Coordinator] Kellen Moore a lot of different styles of players to use in different situations. We think he can fit that."

Some believe Addison and Flowers were the more polished, NFL-ready prospects, and were surprised at the move, especially considering the ties Addison already had to the Chargers coaching staff.

Quentin Johnston stats 2023

Johnston has been relatively quiet lately, with one of his latest targets from quarterback Justin Herbert resulting in a drop that lost the game for the team against the Packers.

Here's a look at Johnston's stats for the season:

Zay Flowers stats 2023

Flowers was selected by Baltimore at pick No. 22 in the draft.

Here's a look at his stats for the season:

Jordan Addison stats 2023

Addison was picked up by Minnesota at No. 23 in the draft. Of the three receivers in question, Addison has ended up in the best situation and panned out the best overall.

Here's a look at his stats for the season: