Tuesday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens went out and made one of the only big-time moves there were left to make at the wide receiver position. On a team that's been lacking another threat in the receiving room, Baltimore addressed it in a massive way.
The Ravens acquired wideout Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers in a deal that comes just a week before the NFL trade deadline on November 5. As if this offense couldn't get scarier, it just did.
A passing game that's featured a breakout from Zay Flowers and a season that looks like what could be Rashod Bateman's best yet just went out and got a bonafide stud to give this team three talented wideouts to compliment one another in the perfect way.
Johnson is currently in the last year of his contract and is someone the Panthers just traded for this past offseason, yet with the way Carolina's season has gone, he became expendable in a hurry. How about the trade compensation?
It was a pretty smashing deal for the Ravens. All it took was a Day 3 pick swap. Yes, you read that correctly.
The Ravens got Johnson and a draft pick.
Comp update: It’s a pick flop, with the Panthers getting a 5th-round pick for Diontae Johnson and a 6th, per sources. https://t.co/bCW4sVBc5R
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024
The Ravens committed highway robbery in trading for Diontae Johnson
The fact of the matter is, Johnson was arguably the best wide receiver still available via trade. Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins had been dealt. Other than names like Mike Williams, Darius Slayton and maybe some other smaller ones, there weren't many options remaining.
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The Ravens had been needing another wide receiver for a while now, and they were able to strike at just the right time. Not to mention, getting a game-changing option in the passing game for just a late pick swap is downright filthy.
There had to be other teams out there wanting a talent like Johnson who were willing to pay strictly a fifth-round selection without asking for draft capital in return, along with the veteran wideout.
Maybe, there weren't. In any event, on paper, this deal looks phenomenal for the Ravens.
Grade: A
Johnson joins a receiving core with Flowers and Bateman, who are the Ravens' top two leading receivers totaling 527 and 422 yards, thus far, on the season.
In Carolina, Johnson's production ended up being collateral damage thanks to a horrific quarterback situation. Between Bryce Young and Andy Dalton, it hasn't been easy sledding. Still, Johnson had posted 30 receptions on 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Ravens fans shouldn't expect gaudy numbers from Johnson in a Baltimore uniform going forward, but more so an offense that has a legitimate option which will open things up for everyone else, too. Johnson is a possession receiver with dependable hands. His lone Pro Bowl season back in 2021, with Pittsburgh, saw Johnson go for an impressive 527 yards after the catch.
The Ravens got a weapon and they got him on the cheap.