Diontae Johnson is indeed on the move. The veteran wideout is being dealt from the Panthers to the Ravens, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Schefter adds the teams will swap fifth-and sixth-round picks as part of the deal, one which will allow Johnson to return to the AFC North. Both selections are in this year’s draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network clarifies. As for the financial side of the deal, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports Carolina is retaining a portion of Johnson’s remaining salary.
As a result, the Ravens will only owe him roughly $625K for the rest of the season. Johnson is the latest rental receiver to be dealt, and it comes as little surprise he will be changing teams for the second time in 2024. The 28-year-old has been widely expected to be dealt, with multiple suitors believed to be in play (although the particulars of the deal point to a rather tepid market existing). As Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports notes, Johnson became “discouraged” by his situation; he will now depart a 1-7 franchise for one with a 5-3 record and aspirations of another playoff run.
Underscoring the compensation situation further, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds teams were initially discussing a Day 2 pick in a potential Johnson trade (video link). That price fell considerably, with suitors becoming increasingly aware a parting of ways with Carolina — stemming from what Jones terms as “communication issues” — would be imminent. The Panthers have moved quickly in taking an underwhelming offer.
Receiver has been floated as potential target in Baltimore’s case in 2024 (and many other years, of course), but recent first-rounders Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have had a productive start to the season. Contributions from tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have led to Baltimore boasting the league’s No. 1 passing attack. Free agent signing Derrick Henry has been as advertised in the backfield, forming a strong tandem with Lamar Jackson in terms of production on the ground (200 yards per game, which leads the league).
For that reason, it comes as something of a surprise Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta targeted offense in terms of a midseason acquisition. Scoring has generally not been an issue for the Ravens, but their defense has been a sore spot on more than one occasion. The team sits 26th in points allowed per game (26.1), owing in large part to the NFL’s worst pass defense. Bringing in help along the edge or in the secondary thus represented a logical course of action, but unless something further is done Baltimore’s incumbent options will be counted on to improve.
In place as GM since 2019, DeCosta has not been shy on the trade front during his tenure. He previously added Marcus Peters, Yannick Ngakoue and Roquan Smith via trade during the middle of the 2019, ’20 and ’22 seasons. Johnson becomes the latest name on that list, and he will aim to provide a notable contribution on offense while boosting his free agent stock in the process.
The former third-rounder had a productive five-year run in Pittsburgh, and he inked a two-year extension in 2022. In the lead-in to the final year of that pact, though, he asked to be dealt and the Steelers accommodated him. Carolina also took part in a pick swap in that deal, sending cornerback Donte Jackson back as well. The team’s investment has not proven to be particularly worthwhile given their struggles on offense and the decision to part ways after only eight weeks.
Johnson recorded at least 78 yards three times during his Carolina tenure, with his best showings coming during the time when Andy Dalton was in at quarterback. Bryce Young‘s development – on the field or otherwise – remains a key goal for Carolina during the second half of the campaign. That process could come about after other veterans are shipped out, but in any case Johnson’s performance on his new team will be a key storyline to follow.
If it’s really just a 5th/6th pick swap, that’s fantastic for the Ravens.
That’s nothing just trading down 6 spots.
It’ll be more than that due to comp picks, but yeah, the Panthers will be the first pick in the 6th round, so not far regardless.
I doubt the Ravens view him as a long term solution but almost any WR with a pulse becomes an option when you get into a desperation mode.
Even for a rental of a solid receiver, that price is nice.
What a giveaway for the Panthers. All they really gained was another nail in the end of Young’s career.
it sux for Fantasy tho…that’s all that matters lol
Im not his biggest fan, but that price is attractive.
Yeah, Carolina basically gave him away. Whatever Johnson’s strengths/weaknesses may be, it’s an incredible value for a contender. Did no one else offer more?
Texans should have been involved at that price.
They were all in on this year, and now they lost Diggs.
Good get to help improve the Ravens passing game. Late round pick swaps is hardly anything to give up
I would have figured the price would be a 4th rounder so good job by the Ravens.
CAR 6th pick roughly 177
BAL has 3 5th rounders. (2 COMP Picks) currently picks 159, 174, 176
That is a hell of a deal for BAL, surprised that was the best deal CAR was offered. Congrats to BAL for adding another weapon.
Great trade for Ravens. They are ponying up and going all in without effecting their cap situation bc Kyle Hamilton is about to get PAID and deservedly so.
Poor BY is back to throwing to future car salesman WRs again.
@raz, I don’t think it matters who’s running routes in Carolina, Young is just not a QB1 at this time.
It’s a bit surprising. Baltimore talk show hosts and fans have been screaming for change on the D side not O side. That said; in Ravens FO we trust.
Personally, pass rusher is needed as evidenced by how much time Jamison Winston had to throw last Sunday. Hard to watch.
They don’t have to be done yet.
Yeah, I suppose that when they heard that Baltimore was doing a trade with Carolina, they though that it may be for a different player.
Probably right. Sorry.
Oh, I wasn’t calling you out. I just thought with the speculation about Baltimore possibly persuing a reunion with Clowney that Ravens fans may have assumed that he’d be their target.
Pretty sure Ravens want Clowney and Carolina would part ways. They’ve gotta be talking. Or, Carolina was asking for too much in return and the Ravens balked.
Great pickup for the ravens a proven WR and only paying $625k of his salary? Win win
Free Bryce Young.
Back in the AFC North in time to face his former club. Week 11 in Pittsburgh, Week 16 in Baltimore.
Gotta wonder if Bateman’s sun-drop triggered this one. Either way he’s gonna be an unwelcome man in Pittsburgh when the Ravens come to town
TF is Carolina doing? You have the upper hand with Diontae; trade him and pay $3m of his contract to move up what less than 10 picks at best? Why throw in your own pick, the Ravens are paying nothing literally nothing for another weapon for Lamar. They have to pay you for him you don’t have to give a pick when your paying 83% of his remaining salary. I hate this franchise.
That was probably the best offer that they got – carries more value than getting a late 6th round pick for him. He’s on an expiring contract, he isn’t going to fetch a ton of value.
Hopkins got a fifth round pick, and he is the more accomplished receiver – went for over 1,000 yards last year with bad QB play.
A fifth/sixth round swap is about what Johnson’s value is on an expiring deal.
He’s nothing but a cancer in the to clubhouse. Just ask Mike Tomlin and the Steelers players
I don’t know that DJ was like that over his whole Steeler career, but he certainly was last season. Under Tomlin/Colbert you could get away with that, but not under Tomlin/Khan… see also, Chuks Okrafor and Kenny Pickett.
It’s clear he was a malcontent in Carolina and the rest of the league was aware…completely killed his trade value for the the Panthers. They mention originally it was thought he could be had for a day two pick and that turned into moving up a maximum of 10-15 picks in the late rounds.
Good. Now he can catch the ball near the first down marker but inexplicably run backwards for Baltimore. One of the most maddening players I’ve ever watched as a Steeler fan. Drops easy ones but makes fantastic catches; makes a great move to get open one play, then runs a crappy route the next; jukes a guy for extra yardage one play, then decides to give ground and try to run the whole way across the field the next.
He will throw a tantrum in no time when he doesnt get the ball from a QB who wants to run.
great trade for the ravens. even blocks the AFC teams from getting him. Houston seemed like a good fit after the diggs injury.
Why hasn’t Dallas made any big moves?? Where is that sense of urgency??
I’m surprised McCarthy is still on the sidelines. I can only assume between respect and throwing in the towel, Jerry doesn’t see a reason until end of season.
I’m thinking that teams don’t want to help Dallas win and the league more enjoyable continuing to watch Dallas lose. Haha