The Ravens have been an AFC playoff contender for the past few years, and they’ve just added another weapon for Lamar Jackson. Diontae Johnson joins Baltimore ahead of the trade deadline to shore-up the team’s wide receiver corps.
Zay Flowers has been solid as the No. 1 wide receiver in Baltimore, but Johnson gives the team depth since the next best wideouts are Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. Between Flowers, Johnson, Mark Andrews and Derrick Henry, Jackson has plenty of options each snap. The offense was already ranked first in total yards and second in total points scored, so Johnson’s addition will only make the unit more dangerous.
Johnson has racked up 357 receiving yards and three touchdowns through seven games this season. It was his first season with the Panthers after spending five with the Steelers. Considering his history playing against AFC North opponents, Johnson’s addition to a former rival makes this more intriguing.
Analysis
How did he get here?
The Ravens traded a fifth-round draft pick for Johnson and a sixth rounder ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. It’s a rather risk-free move for Baltimore, who is looking to make a deep playoff run this year.
As for the Panthers, they seemingly wanted to move up in the draft, although the difference between a late fifth rounder and early sixth rounder isn’t that great. Nonetheless, Carolina wanted to get some value for Johnson, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Start or sit?
On paper, the move is a great opportunity for Johnson to get an uptick in his production. A solid wide receiver pairs with an MVP quarterback in a top offense in the NFL. It sounds great until reports came out that Johnson may be used as a punt returner as well.
Taking on punt returning duties isn’t the end of the world, but it’s concerning that Johnson’s role won’t be as significant on offense.
It seems that Johnson won’t be ready to be the primary punt returner yet, so he should be safe to start in your fantasy leagues during Week 9. Baltimore hosts Denver on Sunday, Nov. 3, and while the Broncos have the third best points against and total yards against in the league, the Ravens should still have a good offensive performance.
CB Pat Surtain II should line up against Flowers, leaving Johnson with a less difficult matchup in man coverage. Jackson may be more inclined to throw Johnson’s way for this reason and to get him flowing in a new offense.
The bottom line
Johnson is a great addition for the Ravens for Week 9 and beyond. It bolsters their offense and should give them a better chance of making a deep playoff run.
What’s concerning is his usage as a punt returner. Johnson hasn’t held that role in a few years, so it’s baffling as to why the Ravens are moving him to the special teams unit. Johnson will still serve as a wide receiver, but his snaps could be limited if he’s required to take returns multiple times per contest. That and he’s exposing himself to more potential injuries this way.
For Week 9, however, he’s a start.
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