COSTA MESA, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco says he’s never met a coach who didn’t want speed on his roster.
Telesco’s staff is no different.
However, the 2022 Bolts lacked the type of speed that’s crucial to create an explosive offense.
That no longer is expected to be an issue.
With a first-round pick, the 21st overall selection, the Chargers selected TCU receiver Quentin Johnston, a 6-foot-4, 208-pound deep-threat target who also possesses an ability to create after the catch.
“He’s big, strong and fast,” said Telesco, entering his 11th season as general manager. “He has some physical characteristics that we think he can add to our offense in a different role.”
Translation: Quarterback Justin Herbert should have every opportunity to air the ball out in 2023.
“What I can do with the ball in my hands is something that, I feel like, it’s a no-brainer for somebody to pick me,” Johnston said after his selection.
Herbert, entering his fourth season, has a complete arsenal of playmakers, including receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Gerald Everett. The Chargers will attempt to improve on their 10th-ranked average of 22.5 points per game last season.
First-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who held the same post with the Dallas Cowboys the past four seasons with his offense ranking in the top four in points per game (27.7), yards per game (391) and third-down conversion percentage (44%), said creating explosive opportunities has been among topics discussed throughout the offseason.
“It’s a collaborative effort,” Moore said. “At the end of the day, when you do have explosive opportunities, you need to take advantage of those. It’s a quicker way to get to the end zone and, ultimately, when you look at the statistics, explosive plays [have] a huge impact on who’s winning games.”
The Cowboys under Moore ranked 11th in rate of explosive plays (10.1%), qualified as a 10-yard run or 20-yard pass play, while the Chargers the past two seasons under former coordinator Joe Lombardi ranked 30th (8.1%).
“Kellen’s offense is going to bring some more explosions with it,” Telesco said, “and then adding this receiver in the draft, who had a ton of explosive plays in…
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