Johnston took a meaningful step forward in 2025–WR27 overall and WR24 per game at 10.4 points in 14 games, a real improvement from a so-so WR43 finish the year before. The eight touchdowns in 14 games drove the production and show that Herbert looks for him in the red zone. His ESPN scores are balanced across the board–54th-percentile OPEN, 65th-percentile CATCH, 70th-percentile YAC, 62nd-percentile OVERALL–which isn't elite but is a functional profile for a big outside receiver. The 94th-percentile avoided tackle rate is the standout metric: when Johnston gets the ball in space, he's difficult to bring down. The PFF route grade (51st percentile) and YPRR (61st percentile) say he's average at creating separation–he's a boundary receiver who relies on physicality and yards after contact rather than route technique. The Chargers have 118 vacated WR targets (33%) with Keenan Allen gone. Johnston is the natural WR2 candidate as the team's primary outside option, with Ladd McConkey owning the slot and rookie Tre Harris still developing. Herbert's established connection with his receivers gives Johnston a real path to 100-plus targets. He's going as a low-end WR4 and appears to be one of the better mid-round values at the position.