Diontae Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, with the Ravens sending over a 5th-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Johnson’s services. The Ravens also receive a 6th-rounder as part of the deal.
Johnson is the fourth Pro-Bowl wide receiver to be traded in the last 2 weeks, all of which going to AFC teams. He returns to the AFC North, having just been traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason. Johnson was on the last year of his contract, and had 30 catches, 357 yards, and 3 touchdowns so far this season.
Impact for the Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are continuing to build up for a Super Bowl push.
After only scoring 10 points against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship in January, Baltimore has made gaining offensive firepower a main focus throughout the offseason. They signed arguably the best pure runner in the league Derrick Henry this offseason, in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on Lamar Jackson. They drafted tackle Roger Rosengarten in Round 2 of the NFL Draft to help protect Lamar. But the Ravens still needed another wide receiver to complement 2023 first-rounder Zay Flowers.
Diontae Johnson brings a much needed aspect to the Baltimore passing game. Johnson is a refined route runner and has one of the highest separation rates in the league. As previously stated, they add that to a running game featuring Derrick Henry, and the best dual-threat quarterback of our generation in Lamar Jackson. With the speed and elusiveness of Zay Flowers, and the steady hands of Mark Andrews, opposing defenses have their hands full going into the future.
Impact for the Carolina Panthers
The Panthers situation could not be more different.
The team traded for Johnson during the offseason to help aid Bryce Young in his development. The former number one overall pick struggled as a rookie, and after trading multiple first round picks, star wide receiver DJ Moore, and more to the Bears for the rights to pick Young, it was paramount that the Panthers do everything to try and give Young some weapons and protection.
This effort has failed in year 2. Young hasn’t developed as player, and has looked terrible in his game time this season. He was benched for backup Andy Dalton in Week 3, but an injury has thrown Young back into the starting role. The Panthers have continued to struggle, and are on pace to have the worst record in the league for the second straight year. It’s clear that Young isn’t the answer, and Carolina will be needing a new quarterback come the draft in April.
Johnson’s contract was expiring, and after the disappointments of the team this season, it was unlikely he would resign with the Panthers. Therefore, a trade was the only option for Carolina to gain any value back for Diontae. They get back some draft capital as they once again will attempt another rebuild of the team.
