With Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins all landing with new teams recently, Carolina Panthers receiver Diontae Johnson may now be the top wide receiver available for trade. Drafted in the third round in 2019, Johnson became a reliable option with the Pittsburgh Steelers before wearing out his welcome. After being dealt to the Panthers, first-year head coach Dave Canales saw the Toledo alum as a stabilizing influence for Bryce Young, the top pick in the 2023 draft.
However, Young’s continued struggles led to him being benched after just two starts, and Johnson found a spark playing with veteran Andy Dalton. Still, at 1-6, the Panthers don’t have much incentive to keep a player approaching free agency. While Johnson has voiced his desire to stay, the choice may not be his. Teams like the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers could use an additional playmaker, and Carolina would be wise to accept a mid-round pick in exchange for his services.
Panthers WR Diontae Johnson on trade rumors about him: ‘’I’m here. I want to be here.’’
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 24, 2024
Diontae Johnson Addresses Trade Rumors: “I Want To Be Here”
Diontae Johnson has expressed a desire to stay with the Panthers, but it’s tough to take him at his word. Just last week, a visibly frustrated Johnson told reporters he “can’t play every position” after Carolina’s 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders—a comment suggesting he’d rather be on the opposing sideline, a possibility that may soon become reality. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick, burst onto the scene but sustained a rib injury early in Week 7. While he plans to play through it, his effectiveness will likely be impacted for some time.
Daniels’ natural talent, coupled with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme, has elevated Washington’s offense despite a less-than-stellar receiving corps. Terry McLaurin remains a standout, but the surrounding group of Noah Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and rookie Luke McCaffrey hasn’t been overly impressive. Acquiring Diontae Johnson would ease Daniels’ workload and help offset the anticipated dip in production that comes with playing through a painful injury.
Competency Around Justin Herbert
After a sluggish start, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is now fully healthy and performing at peak level. The former first-round pick delivered a stellar performance against the Arizona Cardinals, but it wasn’t enough—the Chargers fell 17-15 in a close game largely due to critical mistakes by the receiving corps. The Chargers’ depth chart was already worryingly thin, and with Quentin Johnston and second-round pick Ladd McConkey dealing with injuries, it has become a significant issue. No team is in greater need of a receiver upgrade than the Chargers, and waiting any longer could prove costly.
Sitting at 3-3, the Chargers are likely out of the AFC West title race but remain within striking distance of a Wild Card spot. However, the AFC is crowded with teams hovering around .500, so even one game could be the difference between a playoff berth and an early offseason. Diontae Johnson would address the Chargers’ most pressing weakness, and making a move for him now is imperative.
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