Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Xavier Legette

Wednesday, September 18, 1:35 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, a first-rounder in 2023, had a rocky first year in the NFL marred by drops. But through the first two weeks of his second season in the NFL, Johnston has flipped the script and led the Chargers with five catches for 51 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 2 win over the Carolina Panthers. He had two TDs all of last year, but he currently leads the Bolts in catches, receiving yards and yards per target. The 23-year-old's route-running this year is tighter and more deceptive, and his hands have improved markedly. Johnston ran post or go routes 35.5% of the time last year, but that rate has dropped to 21.4% this year, which has increased his chances to run after the catch on crossing routes. He has become a popular waiver-wire pickup after the first two weeks, especially with DJ Chark (hip) on Injured Reserve.

Monday, August 12, 1:02 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) returned to training camp practice on Monday after missing several days with a foot injury. In addition to missing some valuable practice time at the end of last week, Legette was also forced to sit out of the preseason opener last Thursday against the New England Patriots. It remains to be seen if the 23-year-old will play in the second preseason contest this Saturday against the New York Jets. The good news is that he's now back on the field as he tries to get up to speed for his first NFL campaign in 2024. Carolina's offense should have nowhere to go but up after last year's struggles, but with the addition of Diontae Johnson and the presence of veteran Adam Thielen, Legette could have trouble being anything more than an occasional big-play threat for fantasy managers in his rookie season.