The Baltimore Ravens didn’t just pull off a trade before the deadline, they pulled off a textbook Eric DeCosta heist.
For a fifth-round pick (while getting a sixth-rounder back), Baltimore acquired Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, a proven playmaker with years of AFC North experience. It’s the type of move that’s been the hallmark of Eric DeCosta’s tenure as GM: sharp, resourceful, and set up to help Baltimore win now.
Adding Johnson was exactly the boost Baltimore needed. Even though Zay Flowers has been electric, the receiving corps hasn’t hit its full potential, with Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor struggling with drops in key situations.
Johnson’s familiarity with the division (he was formerly a Pittsburgh Steeler) and his ability to step into the starting lineup makes him a perfect fit to give Lamar Jackson another trustworthy target as the Ravens push for the postseason.
But despite what seems like a straightforward role for Johnson, it didn’t take long for the Ravens to start complicating his introduction. Reports suggest the Ravens are already exploring options to use Johnson as a punt returner.
For fans expecting him to bolster the offense, that feels like a baffling first move.
It took 72 hours to overthink Diontae Johnson's role in Baltimore
Let’s be clear: Johnson has the skills to be a real difference-maker on offense. With his hands, route-running ability, and natural separation skills, he’s exactly what Baltimore needs to take pressure off Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers.
Instead, head coach John Harbaugh recently mentioned that Johnson has been testing the waters as a returner in practice, saying, “He was out there today with the punt returners - just trying to get the rust knocked off.”
Chris Horton said the Ravens will continue to roll with Tylan Wallace as punt returner. Diontae Johnson will get worked in but he hasn’t done returns in a few years. So he’ll need some practice reps before he becomes the regular punt returner.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 31, 2024
Sure, it might make sense to see what Johnson can do in the return game eventually. But why rush him into a role on special teams when his main appeal is as a receiver who can help this offense thrive?
The Ravens didn’t trade for Johnson to have him fair-catching punts. They brought him in to bring veteran consistency to a receiving corps that has struggled with reliability.
Overcomplicating his role, especially this early, could backfire. Baltimore has a history of trying to be too clever with its personnel decisions, but this doesn’t need to be one of those times. Johnson’s addition was a strategic move to shore up offensive depth, especially considering the struggles Baltimore’s had in recent games with dropped passes and missed connections.
The Ravens have a great opportunity to elevate their offense by simply letting Johnson do what he does best. Bringing him in as a receiver first and focusing on maximizing his impact are no-brainers. Baltimore’s offense can potentially be one of the league’s most dangerous, and Diontae Johnson can play a huge role in that.
The sooner the Ravens commit to letting him settle into the receiver rotation, the better positioned they’ll be to make a serious postseason push.