The Chargers offense was missing a big-play potential a season ago.
Enter TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
The Bolts added a home-run threat to their offense Thursday night by taking Johnston with the 21st overall pick in the first round.
Johnston now joins a group that features Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, all of whom are all still key components on the Bolts offense.
But Johnston could be viewed as a long-term option at that position group.
In the short term, the Bolts won't ask Johnston to be WR1 or likely even a second option in their passing game.
CBS Sports draft analyst Chris Trapasso loved the pick and envisions plenty of success for Johnston in powder blue.
But Johnston now has the chance to learn from a handful of established wide receivers while carving out a role for himself on offense.
There's a good chance that role is one of a player whom Justin Herbert connects with on deep passes. And speaking of Herbert, it's never a bad idea to continue to surround him with all the possible playmakers.
Here's what Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote about Johnston in his scouting report:
Overall, Johnston requires polish with his route-running and ball-finishing skills, but he offers legitimate big-play potential with his size-speed athleticism and catch radius. He has NFL-starting traits with upside as he continues to develop.
Take a look through some photos of the Chargers 2023 first-round Draft pick, wide receiver Quentin Johnston from Texas Christian University.
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of California cornerback Chigozie Anusiem (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) runs past Texas linebacker Jett Bush (43) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) makes a one-handed catch in front of Baylor cornerback Raleigh Texada during an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) is seen during an NCAA football game against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 43-40 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston holds the trophy after the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. TCU defeated Michigan 51-45. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) is defended by West Virginia cornerback Charles Woods (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) dodges the tackle by Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches the game-winning touchdown under pressure from Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) escapes the tackle by Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) runs past Kansas defensive lineman Malcolm Lee (99) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a touchdown pass as Baylor safety Lorando Johnson (11) reacts to the play in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Brugler also noted that Johnston was second in college football last year with 8.9 yards after the catch per reception.
Johnston doesn't just gain yards, he gains extra yards once the ball is in his hands.
Again, the Bolts don't need Johnston to light the world on fire as a rookie.
But with 4.51 speed and tremendous size at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, Johnston could be the missing element the Bolts were lacking a season ago.
A fun fact: Johnston averaged 19.0 yards per catch in his career at TCU. That was second among all active players when he decided to enter the draft.
Remember that the Chargers are still in a division with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and also reside in a conference that features a plethora of premium quarterbacks such as Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and now Aaron Rodgers, among others.
The chances of winning games by scoring less then 30 points isn't a great one.
Johnston should add some firepower to the Bolts offense now and for the future, which could be just what the Chargers need to take the next step to their ultimate goal.
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