The Baltimore Ravens have added another offensive player to support quarterback Lamar Jackson.
On Tuesday, the Ravens traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2025. The Panthers announced the details of the trade late on Tuesday.
Johnson had been the leading wide receiver for Carolina since joining the team in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson. He has made 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season but missed Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos due to a rib injury.
After this season, Johnson was set to become an unrestricted free agent. According to someone familiar with the trade, two other teams showed interest in Johnson before the Ravens got involved a couple of days ago.
The compensation for Johnson suggests that some teams may have been hesitant because of his past locker room issues.
The Panthers, looking to improve their draft position for next season, are likely to consider more trade offers before the November 5 deadline.
One player who might be traded is running back Miles Sanders, but it’s uncertain if he would attract much interest due to his lack of production over the past season and a half.
Even with their 1-7 record, the Panthers seem unlikely to trade certain players, including quarterback Bryce Young, running back Chuba Hubbard, and cornerback Jaycee Horn. Hubbard and Horn are well-regarded by the organization and could be up for contract extensions.
Jackson, a two-time MVP, is having the best passing season of his career with the Ravens, boasting a 115.4 rating and 2,099 yards. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes and only two interceptions.
Johnson joins second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers and 24-year-old Rashod Bateman, along with several good tight ends, as options for quarterback Lamar Jackson. However, the defense might be what holds the Ravens back.
Baltimore allowed 401 yards in their loss to Cleveland on Sunday, leaving the Ravens (5-3) one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. So even after bringing in Johnson, Baltimore may still look to make more trades before the deadline.
The 28-year-old Johnson had his best season in 2021, catching 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns for the Steelers.
He followed that up with 86 catches for 882 yards in 2022, but his numbers dropped last year as the Steelers focused more on George Pickens. In 2023, Johnson had a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
Johnson had previously mentioned wanting to stay with the Panthers after trade rumors started earlier this season, saying he enjoyed catching passes from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.
With Johnson gone, the Panthers now have a young group of wide receivers, except for veteran Adam Thielen, who has missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury, and David Moore.
Recently, the Panthers have relied more on 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted rookie Jalen Coker, who caught his first touchdown pass on Sunday. Moore and Legette started on Sunday since Johnson and Thielen were out.
Coker made four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown against Denver, while Legette had four catches for 34 yards and a score, his third this season. Moore also had four catches for 39 yards.
Thielen is expected to return this week when the Panthers play the New Orleans Saints.
Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick in 2023, has also been active but is getting fewer reps than Coker. He has only one catch in the last three games.
