The Baltimore Ravens have bolstered their offense by acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, along with a 2025 sixth-round pick. In return, the Ravens are sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to Carolina. This trade, announced by the Panthers on Tuesday, provides quarterback Lamar Jackson with another receiving weapon as the Ravens look to strengthen their passing game and offensive depth for the season. Johnson’s addition could add a new dynamic to the Ravens’ offense as they seek to maximize their offensive potential.
Diontae Johnson has been a key target for Carolina, leading the team in receiving with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season before missing last Sunday’s game against the Broncos due to a rib injury. Acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in an offseason trade for cornerback Donte Jackson, Johnson was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Reportedly, two other teams showed interest in Johnson recently, but the Ravens moved quickly to secure the trade, seeing him as a valuable addition to Lamar Jackson’s receiving corps. With Johnson’s reliable hands and route-running ability, Baltimore aims to enhance its passing attack as it approaches the second half of the season.
The Ravens’ acquisition of Diontae Johnson highlights their commitment to supporting quarterback Lamar Jackson, who’s having a standout season with career-high passing numbers, including a 115.4 passer rating, 2,099 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Johnson, joining a young and talented receiving corps with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, should add depth and experience to Baltimore’s passing game.
For the Panthers, the trade compensation for Johnson reflects some hesitancy from other teams, possibly due to his past locker room issues. With a 1-7 record, Carolina is likely exploring additional trade options to improve its draft position. Running back Miles Sanders could be a trade candidate, though his recent lack of production might limit interest. Key players like quarterback Bryce Young, running back Chuba Hubbard, and cornerback Jaycee Horn appear to be off-limits, as the organization views them as building blocks for the future, with Hubbard and Horn potentially up for contract extensions.
Despite bolstering their offense, the Ravens may still look to strengthen their roster before the trade deadline. Their defense, which allowed 401 yards in the recent loss to Cleveland, remains a concern and could be a deciding factor as they aim to keep pace with Pittsburgh in the competitive AFC North.
Diontae Johnson’s production has fluctuated over recent seasons. His best year came in 2021 with the Steelers, when he posted 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. However, as Pittsburgh shifted its focus to younger talent like George Pickens, Johnson’s numbers dipped; he recorded 86 catches for 882 yards in 2022 and reached a career low in 2023 with 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite trade speculation earlier this season, Johnson had expressed a desire to stay in Carolina, noting his enjoyment in working with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Now, as he transitions to Baltimore, Johnson has the opportunity to reignite his career in a dynamic Ravens offense led by Lamar Jackson. His experience and skill should complement young wideouts like Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, adding another reliable target for Jackson in an offense that’s looking to take the next step.
With Diontae Johnson now with the Ravens, the Panthers will lean heavily on a youthful receiving corps featuring 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette and promising undrafted rookie Jalen Coker. Both receivers stepped up in Sunday’s game against Denver: Coker posted four catches for 78 yards and his first career touchdown, while Legette added four catches for 34 yards and recorded his third touchdown of the season. David Moore also contributed with four catches for 39 yards.
Veteran Adam Thielen, who has missed five games due to a hamstring injury, is expected to return against the Saints, providing needed experience to a group that’s seen limited snaps for Jonathan Mingo. Mingo, a second-round pick from 2023, has recently had a quieter role, with only one catch over his last three games, as the Panthers have shifted more reps to Coker.
This younger lineup reflects the Panthers’ ongoing strategy to develop their younger players, despite the team’s challenging 1-7 record, while Thielen’s return should help balance the mix of experience and emerging talent on the field.
