The Carolina Panthers made a surprising decision to bench Bryce Young just two weeks into the season. This changed the outlook for the Panthers offense greatly and Diontae Johnson topped the list of players most impacted.
In the opening two games of the season with Young at quarterback, Johnson had just five receptions for 34 yards. He was targeted 12 times across these two games.
Carolina’s entire offense leapt forward with Andy Dalton under center as the team exploded for 36 points in the veteran’s first start. Johnson looked like a different player after the QB change with 15 receptions, 205 receiving yards, and two touchdowns across Weeks 3 and 4. He was targeted an impressive 27 times across these two games.
However, this production was reduced last week. The Chicago Bears dismantled the Panthers, 36-10, with Carolina turning the ball over three times in the loss. Johnson was limited to just three receptions for 23 receiving yards, plus two carries for six yards. Dalton also took a seat toward the end of the game to provide Bryce Young with live reps. The Alabama product completed four of his seven passes for 58 yards.
Heading into Week 6, expectations are now uncertain with Johnson. Is the down week a major cause for concern or should you stick with him in your fantasy football lineups?
Diontae Johnson Week 6 Fantasy Football Outlook
The Panthers will be looking to wash away last week’s performance as they face the Falcons. Atlanta has a 3-2 record on the year but ranks 20th in points allowed and 19th in yards allowed.
The bigger question should be about whether the Panthers’ glimpses of offensive production are sustainable. There is no debate that Dalton has provided the team with more success than Young. But, there are 14 years of Andy Dalton game tape that provide a clearer picture of what to expect. Dalton may still be the Panthers’ best option at quarterback for the time being, but expect him to come down to earth from how he produced in his first two weeks as the starter.
Johnson is a talented wide receiver who has made a Pro Bowl and eclipsed 1100 receiving yards in a season already in his career. He deserves fantasy football consideration weekly and could be in line for a strong performance here. Johnson has been targeted 45 times on the season, more than double compared to any other Panthers receiver. This should be expected to continue as Adam Thielen remains on the injury report and Xavier Legette had to leave last week’s game with a shoulder injury, though his status is more unclear.
The Falcons have a solid defense, but not one that is impenetrable. They allowed 110 receiving yards to Rashee Rice already this season, and six other receivers have recorded at least 60 yards against them.
Opportunity is the greatest indicator of success, and the targets Johnson receives should keep him in your fantasy football lineups. Through the opening five weeks, he ranks fifth in the NFL in targets. While it is unfortunate that only 23 of these 45 attempts have been caught (he’s tied for the 21st-most catches in the league), Johnson’s importance to the offense is clear.
Should Diontae Johnson be in your lineup?
You are going to have to live with the ups and downs of Diontae, but there are far worse options to have in your fantasy football lineups. Ideally, he sits in a WR2 or flex role for your team. He will have more good weeks than bad — look for him to bounce back in Week 6 against the Falcons.
While he will not be able to consistently replicate the performances in Weeks 3 and 4 in which he was a top-10 fantasy wide receiver, Johnson will remain fantasy relevant. He currently sits as the 24th-ranked wide receiver this season based on DraftKings scoring.
Expect there to be more good than bad with Johnson, and for him to improve his performance in Week 6 against the Falcons.
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