Is The WR Corps Better in 2024?

[Velo]

Look. I was among QJ's harshest critics. And this is complete BS.

[Velo]

In his vid, there are 5 or 6 deep catches QJ made over the shoulder or with his body not totally turned toward the QB. There would be more if the QB had been someone other than Duggan and his weak arm. The first such catch is at about 1:00. It's pure fiction that QJ can't catch passes unless he is fully facing the QB.

1st Round Pick WR Quentin Johnston College Highlights | LA Chargers

[wu-dai clan]

The QJ video speaks for itself, not the author's comments.

He has a particular problem with tracking deep balls.

This is a specific term that is used in the NFL for a certain type of play.

The Javon Baker video clearly stands in contrast, and illustrates the ongoing issue.

It not a semantical argument--it's pure football.

There is even talk online from very knowledgeable football people about using QJ on certain routes, and not others.

As always, I hope for the best, my friends.

[gzubeck]

The QJ video speaks for itself, not the author's comments.

He has a particular problem with tracking deep balls.

This is a specific term that is used in the NFL for a certain type of play.

The Javon Baker video clearly stands in contrast, and illustrates the ongoing issue.

It not a semantical argument--it's pure football.

There is even talk online from very knowledgeable football people about using QJ on certain routes, and not others.

As always, I hope for the best, my friends.

I'm not going to argue against this but I do think he can get better. He won't be a natural tracker but he seems to feel more comfortable with routes that don't require a lot of flipping your head from one side or another, He needs a few seconds to see the ball coming and can then make plays. His skills are to make a catch and then make you miss tackles.

[Velo]

I'm not going to argue against this but I do think he can get better. He won't be a natural tracker but he seems to feel more comfortable with routes that don't require a lot of flipping your head from one side or another, He needs a few seconds to see the ball coming and can then make plays. His skills are to make a catch and then make you miss tackles.

Look at the vid I posted above. Scroll to the 1:00 mark. QJ makes a great over the shoulder the catch in the back of the end zone. His back is completely facing Duggan. That debunks the talking point he can't track deep balls or that he has to be facing the QB to make a catch. There are several other instances in that vid of him making over the shoulder catches. I'm not trying to pump up QJ. I have been one of his biggest critics. But it's a disservice to the truth to say he can't make an over the shoulder catch or that he can only make catches if his body is facing the QB.

[wu-dai clan]

Here is the very play that swayed me to tout QJ over Zay Flowers.

QJ made a tough, clutch catch between two defenders here. Notice that there is no "tracking" involved, as he is facing the QB and body catching.

Concentration in real NFL games remains a concern with QJ. I am sure Harbs sees QJs vast potential and is subjecting him to tough love.

Meanwhile, I get the Green Weenie Award.

[gzubeck]

Look at the vid I posted above. Scroll to the 1:00 mark. QJ makes a great over the shoulder the catch in the back of the end zone. His back is completely facing Duggan. That debunks the talking point he can't track deep balls or that he has to be facing the QB to make a catch. There are several other instances in that vid of him making over the shoulder catches. I'm not trying to pump up QJ. I have been one of his biggest critics. But it's a disservice to the truth to say he can't make an over the shoulder catch or that he can only make catches if his body is facing the QB.

He's just not elite in that skillset. He has plenty of other talents that can contribute on a high level.

[wu-dai clan]

PackerNation would be laughing right now, over a certain drop by QJ.

[Boltnut]

Quentin Johnson was not my guy.
He's young, he's raw, he was drafted for his traits... start/stop acceleration... speed variation, and YAC abilities. Year 1 was not the arrival target for QJ. MW injury thrust him into action earlier than anticipated.

They could not run the ball. They played poor situational football. They were predictable in their play-calling. They rarely designed specific routes to create space for him. Many times they didn't look his way when he did beat press and got open. Nearly everyone agrees that he was misused last year. Maybe the offense was designed with pass blocking issues in mind.

The offense will undergo massive overhaul under Roman/Harbaugh. The run blocking should be better. The play-action will be a feature. The pass protection will be much better. This offense should fit QJ's skillset much better.

Does he need to improve tracking and concentration...? Yes. Does he need to fight for the ball better and be more aggressive/strong...? Yes. Will he show the development needed to be accounted for and provide a reliable target for Herbert...? I believe so... I saw improvement as the year progressed. He's not a finished product... let the coaching help him be a better player. Patience.

I like the depth at WR. Competitors welcome.

[Lefty2SLO]

I'm not going to argue against this but I do think he can get better. He won't be a natural tracker but he seems to feel more comfortable with routes that don't require a lot of flipping your head from one side or another, He needs a few seconds to see the ball coming and can then make plays. His skills are to make a catch and then make you miss tackles.

I have no issues using QJ on specific routes, ones that are more natural / comfortable for him, now that we have a more complete WR room. Didn't we basically do this very thing with MW?? That seemed to work out well (when he was on the field).

I look at QJ as a complementary piece ATM - similar to most of our other current WR's. Give him specific tasks that suit his skills and let him develop from there. Will he ever be a #1 WR? Who knows - maybe . . . . . . . . . I'll be happy with above average as a finished product - despite the 1st round draft slot.

[Velo]

He's just not elite in that skillset. He has plenty of other talents that can contribute on a high level.

True, it may not be his best skill set. But he is still capable of make an over the shoulder catch on a deep ball.

His best skill set is crossers and slants. QJ beat Harbaugh's Michigan on a crossing route that he turned into a long TD, outrunning Mich's defense. I guarantee that Roman will have QJ running predominantly crossing and slant routes in every game.

[dmac_bolt]

Here is the very play that swayed me to tout QJ over Zay Flowers.

QJ made a tough, clutch catch between two defenders here. Notice that there is no "tracking" involved, as he is facing the QB and body catching.

Concentration in real NFL games remains a concern with QJ. I am sure Harbs sees QJs vast potential and is subjecting him to tough love.

Meanwhile, I get the Green Weenie Award.

Zay was my guy. We would have won 7 games last year if we’d drafted him. We might even have won 8 and retained Staley. Maybe its for the best.