The Carolina Panthers aren’t hiding for a second that they’re within the technique of attempting to commerce Diontae Johnson. The receiver has been a goal of hypothesis as we strategy the commerce deadline, and that acquired pushed to the stratosphere over the weekend when Carolina selected to make Johnson a wholesome inactive for his or her sport in opposition to the Broncos, regardless of Bryce Younger making his first begin at quarterback since Week 2.
When you will have a No. 1 receiver who’s wholesome get made inactive with none off-field drama it’s an indication one thing is brewing, and on Monday ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed simply that.
It’s a transfer that really is sensible for everybody concerned. Johnson is simply too proficient to rot on a horrible Panthers group down the stretch, whereas for Carolina the group has rising younger receivers in want of as many reps as doable, with 1st spherical decide Xavier Legette and UDFA standout Jalen Coker each exhibiting they could possibly be the longer term for the Panthers at WR.
Who’s Diontae Johnson in 2024?
Nonetheless actually, actually good. No person might be blamed for not actively looking for out watching Panthers video games, however Johnson has been a standout in an in any other case disappointing passing offense in 2024.
Coming into the commerce deadline with 30 catches for 357 yards and three TDs, he’s already on tempo for a 758 yard season — which might simply be over 1,000 in a reliable offense. A gentle, dependable outdoors receiver, Johnson’s means to separate from defensive backs makes for simple receptions. It’s clear he’s not far eliminated in any respect from his prime seasons in Pittsburgh, and this was actually a case of being anchored to horrible quarterback play during the last three seasons, reasonably than any drop in manufacturing on his finish.
There’s additionally the matter of his contract, which is extraordinarily engaging to a group on a playoff run who has suffered an harm or two. Johnson was traded to Carolina within the second 12 months of a two 12 months deal he signed in Pittsburgh, with the monetary dedication solely being for the rest of 2024 — at a comparatively manageable cap hit of $10M.
This makes him a great candidate to be a short-term rental.
If there’s any draw back it’s that Johnson is vocal. He’s a large receiver, they usually’re at all times vocal. He gained’t let dangerous play slide, and is pleased to bark at his quarterback or coaches if he thinks one thing is off. That’s instantly associated to how a lot success the group is having, so any points could be ameliorated by profitable.
Who ought to commerce for Diontae Johnson?
Even after the big-name trades of Davante Adams (Jets), Amari Cooper (Payments), and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs), there are nonetheless a minimum of 4 groups who must be able to kick the drained on Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers
This one goes with out saying. Brandon Aiyuk’s harm made receiver a place of rapid want for the 49ers coming into the playoffs, and whereas Deebo Samuel continues to be nice and Ricky Pearsall is rising, the plan was to at all times have Pearsall work out of the slot between two nice outdoors guys.
Johnson is a hand-meets-glove match throughout from Deebo to strengthen San Francisco’s passing assault and spherical out their offense. His means to separate will assist each within the passing sport, and maintain defenses sincere in opposition to the run, which is the bread-and-butter of the offense.
Because it stands that is the place which makes probably the most sense, and it could be shocking to not see the Panthers and 49ers work out a deal.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens loss to the Browns final week underscored the perennial drawback for this group: Weapons for Lamar Jackson. Zay Flowers is rapidly exhibiting that he might be the man, however past that the one threats within the passing sport for Baltimore are Isaiah Probably and Mark Andrews.
This group has the potential to make a Tremendous Bowl, however they will’t maintain making the identical errors. Johnson would lastly give this group two strong outdoors receivers, each of whom are inventive route runners on improvisational performs.
Houston Texans
Houston isn’t almost as convincing as folks thought they’d be this season, which is essentially a product of how brutal passing across the league is. This hasn’t been helped by the actual fact Nico Collins is injured, and now Stefon Diggs is likely to be coping with some harm issues as properly.
The Texans haven’t any scarcity of draft capital to shore-up their playoff run in the event that they hope to be something greater than profitable the abysmal AFC South and dropping early within the postseason. This group nonetheless has the potential to make noise, however they need assistance to do it.
Johnson would deliver a veteran presence to the offense and deepen the passing assault. It makes numerous sense right here too.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Let’s get just a little dumb with the final one, as a result of why not? What wouldn’t it take for the Steelers to commerce for Diontae Johnson and convey him again to Pittsburgh?
Clearly there was numerous angst from his time with the Steelers, however a lot of that was associated to Matt Canada at offensive coordinator and Kenny Pickett at quarterback. With these two blockers eliminated there’s an actual place for him on that roster and it makes numerous sense.
George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III are all high-quality — however none of them are pretty much as good as Johnson. With Russ on the helm there’s an opportunity this group might make actual noise within the passing sport within the playoffs with one other menace on the surface.
Plus, on this situation we get to think about the Steelers buying and selling Justin Fields to the Panthers, which is so dumb and enjoyable it must occur.
