Ravens Join The AFC Arms Race & Acquire Lamar A Weapon
The AFC Arms Race at wide receiver has grown. This time it is the Baltimore Ravens who are active in the trade market for a wide receiver. They have agreed on a trade with the Carolina Panthers involving WR Diontae Johnson. The Details of that trade are below.
Trade Details
Baltimore Ravens Acquire: WR Diontae Johnson and a 2025 6th-Round Pick
Carolina Panthers Acquire: A 2025 5th-Round Pick
Baltimore Ravens Side
Baltimore is in win-now mode, and there are glaring weaknesses on offense. One of those weaknesses is the wide receiver position. Excluding Zay Flowers, and maybe Rashod Bateman, the Ravens have no dependable receivers on the team. It's stunning that Nelson Agholor is still in the NFL, because he has not been good since playing with the Raiders in 2020.
The Ravens needed another piece on that offense, because should they fail to get to a Super Bowl, jobs are likely going to be on the line. Johnson should provide an upgrade at wide receiver and give Lamar Jackson another weapon to throw too. With an upgrade at QB, Johnson should have a much better season statistically. The best part is Baltimore did not give up much draft value to get him. It's a low-risk, high-reward type move for the Ravens.
Carolina Panthers Side
Nobody should be surprised that the Panthers are sellers. This season has been an absolute mess, and Carolina waived the white flag the moment Bryce Young got benched after Week 2.
It was no longer an if, but when the team moved veteran pieces. Dionte Johnson was a name constantly mentioned, and now it's official. After all, he was held out of the latest game against the Denver Broncos due to a "rib" injury.
Considering the hype in originally acquiring him from the Steelers, it's been a massive disappointment. He was brought in to help develop Young, but that did not work out, and Young has honestly gotten worse, to no fault of Johnson.
With the return Carolina got, it's disappointing, but had to be done. Carolina was in a tough spot. The wide receiver trade market has been crazy, and Johnson's interest was not as high as players like Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, and Amari Cooper. Johnson is a pending free agent, and it's clear that he was not coming back next season. It's better to get something now than lose him in the offseason for nothing. Although it's not likely the pick upgrade is going to be tremendous, with the Ravens likely going on a deep playoff run.
Grades For Diontae Johnson Trade
Baltimore Ravens - A
Carolina Panthers - D
Makes sense for both sides to make this deal, but the Ravens get the higher grade. They got a much-needed piece on offense and didn't give up too much value. While the Panthers were trading Johnson, they could have gotten a lot more value for him. With how Carolina is and how good the Ravens are, they legit gave up on him for a 15-draft pick upgrade. Hopefully, this benefits both sides, but it looks like the Ravens got away with robbery here.