Diontae Johnson trade grades: Ravens receive much-needed WR help, Panthers continue to puzzle
runaway 2024/10/30 08:12
Another wide receiver is on the move this trade season.
The Ravens acquired WR Diontae Johnson in a deal with the Panthers on Tuesday, the fourth such trade involving a player at that position in the past two weeks. It gives Baltimore a much-needed boost to the receiving corps for QB Lamar Jackson.
Johnson finds himself going from the worst team in the league to a playoff contender. The Panthers are expected to be sellers, sitting at 1-7, while the Ravens have their eyes on getting back to the AFC Championship.
So far in 2024, Johnson is up to 30 receptions on 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns. All those marks ranked first on the Panthers.
Here's breaking down how both teams did in making the deal:
Diontae Johnson trade grades
Ravens acquire:
WR Diontae Johnson and 6th-round pick
Panthers acquire
Ravens' 5th-round pick
Ravens grade: B+
The Ravens give up very little to boost their WR room, which once again has been a topic of conversation in Baltimore. So far this season, only four wide receivers have made catches, including Zay Flowers (41 catches, 527 yards, 1 TD), Rashod Bateman (22 catches, 422 yards, 3 TDs), Nelson Agholor (11 catches, 170 yards, 1 TD), and Tylan Wallace (two catches, two yards).
Adding Johnson to the roster gives Jackson an excellent route runner who can create space himself. He will pair nicely alongside Flowers, as the two can operate as 1A and 1B in the passing game and open up deep shots for Bateman.
The biggest problem recently with the Ravens has been drops — and Johnson may not help that cause. The WR has a history of taking his eyes off the ball early, causing some ugly incompletions to fall at his feet.
With that said, Johnson is an upgrade at a position of need, and all it cost Baltimore was to slide back a few picks in the draft.
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