The Baltimore Ravens wanted to bolster their wide receiver group, so they took action before the trade deadline. General manager Eric DeCosta resorted to an old Ravens tradition of acquiring veteran pass catchers by trading for Carolina Panthers receiver Diontae Johnson on Tuesday.
Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Panthers. The Panthers acquired Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens’ AFC North rival, before the season.
Carolina sent a sixth-round pick with Jackson, who was about to be released, to the Steelers for Johnson and a seventh-round pick in last year’s draft. Having played five seasons for the Steelers, Johnson is well familiar with the AFC North and should fit right in with the Ravens.
It was just three seasons ago that Johnson posted 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns with Pittsburgh. His numbers have been on a decline over the past two seasons. With nine games left and 30 receptions on the stat sheet, Johnson can improve upon last season’s 51 catches if he can jump right in and connect with quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens are coming off a last-minute 29-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns last week. Zay Flowers did his part to help set up for a win with seven catches for 115 yards. Unfortunately, drops by Rashad Bateman and Nelson Agholor didn’t help the Ravens’ cause on the road.
As a result, DeCosta went out and got Johnson. There weren’t many receiver options left after the trades over the last couple of weeks. Interestingly, all of the action came from AFC teams.
Former Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams was reunited with Aaron Rodgers after the New York Jets acquired him. The Kansas City Chiefs went out and acquired veteran DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans. The Buffalo Bills picked up Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns.
The Ravens have managed to make it work with veteran receivers dating back to Quadry Ismael who helped bring the first Super Bowl championship to Baltimore in 2000. Anquan Boldin helped the Ravens win it all again in 2012 when he came over from the Arizona Cardinals.
Two of the best receivers in franchise history were veteran acquisitions, although they didn’t result in Super Bowls. Derrick Mason’s 471 catches and 5,777 receiving yards are the franchise record for the Ravens. Steve Smith Sr. had a good run after joining the team as well.
Johnson isn’t as high profile of an addition as the previous veterans. But this Ravens team appears to be a legit contender. If he can help improve the passing attack, it’ll be worth it.
This was clearly a trade for a future comp pick now when/if we don’t sign him after this szn he fits into our comp pick formula