A week before the trade deadline, the Ravens are adding a former Pro Bowl wide receiver to what’s already been the AFC’s best offense.
Baltimore is sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to Carolina in exchange for 28-year-old wideout Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round selection. According to The Athletic, the Panthers will also pay down some of the remainder of his $7 million salary to make the price even more affordable, making this a no-brainer move for general manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens. That also means it shouldn’t prohibit their efforts to address the struggling pass defense ahead of next Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The deal is pending the passing of a physical.
Traded from Pittsburgh to the Panthers in March, the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season. He missed last Sunday’s loss to Denver with what was listed as a rib injury, but his production has been better with veteran Andy Dalton as Carolina’s quarterback than struggling 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young. Of course, he’ll now be playing with a two-time MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson.
Johnson should give the Ravens’ passing attack another impact option on the outside and more depth in a wide receiver group already featuring Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. However, it’s worth noting that he’s in the midst of a contract year and joining an offense that already has plenty of mouths to feed, so his target share may not be ideal from a business standpoint. Johnson didn’t always have the best reputation or most consistent hands during his time with the Steelers either, but his ability to separate and experience as a punt returner make him very appealing. The Ravens also have ex-Steelers such as slot cornerback Arthur Maulet and defensive lineman Chris Wormley on the current roster and practice squad, so DeCosta had the ability to seek input on Johnson’s personality and fit.
The move comes after Buffalo acquired five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper two weeks ago and Kansas City traded for five-time Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins last week.
A 2019 third-round pick out of Toledo, Johnson took off in his third season with the Steelers, recording 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He also recorded 923 receiving yards in 2020 and 882 receiving yards two years ago.
This marks the fourth notable acquisition made ahead of a trade deadline since DeCosta became general manager in 2019. The Ravens acquired cornerback Marcus Peters in 2019, edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue in 2020, and inside linebacker Roquan Smith in 2022.
