The Carolina Panthers aren’t hiding for a second that they’re within the technique of making an attempt to commerce Diontae Johnson. The receiver has been a goal of hypothesis as we strategy the commerce deadline, and that bought pushed to the stratosphere over the weekend when Carolina selected to make Johnson a wholesome inactive for his or her recreation towards the Broncos, regardless of Bryce Younger making his first begin at quarterback since Week 2.
When you might 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 gifted to rot on a horrible Panthers workforce down the stretch, whereas for Carolina the workforce has rising younger receivers in want of as many reps as potential, with 1st spherical choose Xavier Legette and UDFA standout Jalen Coker each exhibiting they may very well be the longer term for the Panthers at WR.
Who’s Diontae Johnson in 2024?
Nonetheless actually, actually good. No person will be blamed for not actively searching for out watching Panthers video games, however Johnson has been a standout in an in any other case disappointing passing offense in 2024.
Getting 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 exterior 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 really a case of being anchored to horrible quarterback play during the last three seasons, relatively than any drop in manufacturing on his finish.
There’s additionally the matter of his contract, which is extraordinarily enticing to a workforce on a playoff run who has suffered an damage 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 super 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 all the time vocal. He gained’t let dangerous play slide, and is joyful to bark at his quarterback or coaches if he thinks one thing is off. That’s immediately associated to how a lot success the workforce is having, so any points can 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 at the very least 4 groups who needs to be able to kick the drained on Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers
This one goes with out saying. Brandon Aiyuk’s damage made receiver a place of rapid want for the 49ers getting into the playoffs, and whereas Deebo Samuel continues to be nice and Ricky Pearsall is rising, the plan was to all the time have Pearsall work out of the slot between two nice exterior 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 recreation, and hold defenses trustworthy towards the run, which is the bread-and-butter of the offense.
Because it stands that is the place which makes essentially the most sense, and it will be stunning 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 shortly exhibiting that he will be the man, however past that the one threats within the passing recreation for Baltimore are Isaiah Seemingly and Mark Andrews.
This workforce has the potential to make a Tremendous Bowl, however they will’t hold making the identical errors. Johnson would lastly give this workforce two strong exterior receivers, each of whom are artistic 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 very fact Nico Collins is injured, and now Stefon Diggs is likely to be coping with some damage considerations as properly.
The Texans don’t have 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 shedding early within the postseason. This workforce nonetheless has the potential to make noise, however they need assistance to do it.
Johnson would convey a veteran presence to the offense and deepen the passing assault. It makes numerous sense right here too.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Let’s get slightly dumb with the final one, as a result of why not? What would it not 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 superb — however none of them are nearly as good as Johnson. With Russ on the helm there’s an opportunity this workforce may make actual noise within the passing recreation within the playoffs with one other risk on the skin.
Plus, on this state of affairs we get to think about the Steelers buying and selling Justin Fields to the Panthers, which is so dumb and enjoyable it must occur.
