Packers reportedly meet with TCU WR Quentin Johnston at NFL Combine

It’s NFL Combine week, which gives GM Brian Gutekunst and members of the Green Bay Packers scouting department the opportunity to meet with draft prospects face to face.

According to Aaron Wilson, one meeting that Green Bay has already had is with TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.

When it comes to what the Packers desire at the receiver position, Johnston checks those boxes. He’s got a big frame, listed at 6’4″ and weighing 215 pounds, and he’s expected to test very well at the combine–and we all know that Green Bay covets big-bodied pass-catchers, with thresholds typically in the 6’0″ – 195-pound range, as well as athleticism.

In three seasons with the Horned Frogs, Johnston caught 104 of his 180 targets at 17.8 yards per catch with 13 touchdowns. In 2022 specifically, it was his most productive season in terms of total yards and receptions, with 764 receiving yards on 49 receptions, along with five touchdowns, according to PFF.

Johnston spent most of his time lined up on the boundary and was targeted in all areas of the football field, but oftentimes downfield, with a career average depth of target of 15.6 yards. His 2.86 yards per route run — an efficiency metric for receivers — ranked 23rd, and Johnston averaged an impressive 7.6 yards after the catch.

Johnston is The Draft Network’s 19th overall ranked player in the 2023 class and the rated as the second best wide receiver. For more on Johston’s game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote:

"“Height-weight-speed prospect with the physical traits and upside that might have teams willing to overlook some of his inconsistencies on tape. Johnston is a long-striding vertical threat who can open up and separate when allowed to keep his feet moving in space. His elevation and catch radius create an expansive target area down the field, but his overall success rate on contested catches is way lower than it should be for a receiver of his size. Johnston needs a specific route tree, but will improve in that area at the next level. He will benefit from a more accurate deep-ball quarterback, but still feels more like a good WR2 than a high-volume WR1.”"

While Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs both look like promising young players, with Watson looking like a legitimate mate number one threat, this is still a position in need of more playmaking and consistency. Outside of those two, the only other receivers on the roster currently are Samori Toure, Jeff Cotton, and Bo Melton.

In addition to addressing receiver in the draft, the Packers should also sign a veteran free agent as well, both for added on-the-field consistency, but there’s also value in having experience in the film room and on the practice field. This is a very young receiver room that Green Bay has, with Doubs being the most experienced player on the roster with 529 total snaps, while Melton and Cotton have just one combined offensive snap.

Johnston very well could be the first receiver off the board come April’s draft, and he also could be gone before the Packers are on the clock at pick 15.

Continue to check back in with Dairyland Express or follow me on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the Packers’ 2023 NFL Combine meetings.