The New England Patriots overhauled their wide receiver room last offseason, but more changes could very well happen this time around. A.J. Brown, Brian Thomas Jr., DJ Moore, Jordan Addison, and other top talents have been rumored as potential trade pieces this offseason, but FanSided's Justin Carter suggests another player: L.A.'s Quentin Johnston.
The former Horned Frog was a hyped collegiate player. TCU shocked everyone when they took down Michigan in the semifinals of the CFB Playoff back in 2022, a game in which Johnston had 6 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. The next most receiving yards from a TCU player was 34.
Selected with the 21st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Johnston struggled with drops in his rookie year and finished with just 38 catches for 411 yards and two touchdowns.
He'd jump to 55 catches for 711 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2024 (15 games), and this season finished with 51 catches for 735 yards and 8 touchdowns (14 games).
Would trading for Quentin Johnston make sense for the Patriots?
Johnston is far from consistent. As Carter mentions, "He has 16 touchdown receptions over the last two years, but he also has 10 games over that span with 25 or fewer receiving yards. Big play potential, but also big bust potential."
If New England wants a reliable underneath threat for Maye, Johnston isn't the guy. However, he profiles as a player who could succeed with Maye. Mack Hollins, a receiver with a similar style, had one of the best years of his career with Maye and led New England in receiving yards in both the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl.
All six receivers on the Patriots' roster in 2025 are under contract for 2026, though Stefon Diggs has been the subject of cap casualty rumors, and two are in contract years. Johnston would be redundant to Hollins and Kayshon Boutte as deep threats, while he wouldn't elevate the level of play to a massive extent.
Stylistically, he does fit what the Patriots want to do. Considering Carter suggests he could be available for as little as a fourth-round pick, which the Patriots have two of and 12 draft picks overall, it could be worth a call. While he is in a contract year (assuming his $18 million fifth-year option isn't picked up), it's hard to imagine the Chargers dealing him for so little.
Ladd McConkey is a good player, but Tre' Harris and Keandre Lambert-Smith are unproven. Keenan Allen is a pending free agent. The Chargers should be looking to give Justin Herbert more weapons, not take them away. If he is available, time will tell.