With the 2025 NFL Draft now merely a speck in the rearview mirror, many have turned their attention to the current crop of college players that will be gracing the NFL in 2026. Whether you’re delighted with the picks your team made this year or wish they’d taken someone else, the good news is that they’ll get a chance to do it all again next April.
For the Los Angeles Chargers, that could mean a chance to draft a first-round receiver who broke out during the 2024 season.
Los Angeles Chargers Linked with Big-10 Receiver in 2026 Mock Draft
The 2025 NFL season is sure to bring with it some surprise breakouts, steep drop-offs, and devastating injuries that shape each team’s needs heading into next offseason. While nothing can be forecasted with certainty, the Chargers’ wide receiver situation is a precarious one heading into 2025.
The team currently has one star receiver, Ladd McConkey, joined by an aging and injury-prone veteran, and two potential stars that have yet to prove their top-level talent. Tre Harris, to be fair, has only just been drafted, while Quentin Johnston has flattered to deceive during his first two years in the NFL.
If neither Johnston nor Harris can step up in 2025, Los Angeles may need to revisit the position in next year’s draft. That’s the case in a recent three-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft from PFSN’s Mark Stolte. In Stolte’s mock, the Chargers land Washington receiver Denzel Boston, who enjoyed a breakout year in 2024.
“It’s been nice seeing a little resurgence from Quentin Johnston and a feel-good Mike Williams reunion, but the Los Angeles Chargers still need more help for Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey. Denzel Boston has lined up outside for more than 80% of his career snaps and is a great deep and intermediate option to pair with McConkey.”
Boston stepped up in 2024, after Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan were all drafted to the NFL. The receiver grabbed nine touchdowns and received honorable mention All-Big 10 honors for his efforts last season.
The Chargers’ Mixed Fortunes at Wide Receiver
The Chargers have had varying degrees of success when drafting wide receivers in recent years. The 2023 selection of Johnston in the first round has proven, to this point, a questionable one. The team rectified that in 2024, though, landing McConkey in the second round.
While Johnston’s career has been plagued with drops, McConkey proved one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL during his first year. The Georgia product has become the go-to receiver in the Chargers offense, finishing his rookie year with 112 targets.
McConkey’s breakout, while great for the team, has further exposed Johnston’s inconsistent production. The former TCU receiver has had explosive games, including his 186-yard display against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 last season. Johnston also finished 2024 with eight receiving touchdowns, which was tied for the 13th-most in the NFL.
Quentin Johnston today: 13 catches, 186 receiving yards.
A really cool story in player development from year one-to-year two pic.twitter.com/jiTv2b6fX4
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 6, 2025
Johnston’s more impressive numbers, though, have been overshadowed by his more disappointing ones. In 15 games last season, Johnston managed fewer than 50 receiving yards on 12 occasions, and fewer than 25 six times. His massive Week 18 showing was also followed by a forgettable performance in the team’s playoff loss to the Houston Texans, in which he caught none of his five targets.