Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson could be on the move. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, will the Panthers trade their top receiver?
Diontae Johnson Trade Inevitable
"In my mind Diontae Johnson and Za'Darius Smith are gonna be traded before the deadline..
The Rams are only a game out in the NFC West and I don't expect them to move Cooper Kupp"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PhIPBmYAu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson will be traded before the league’s deadline on November 5.
“Diontae Johnson, in my mind, is going to be traded by next week,” Schefter told Pat McAfee. “I don’t know whether it’ll be this week or next week, but I expect that Carolina and Diontae Johnson will part ways and each side will go its own way. The question is where he ends up, and I think he gets traded.”
Johnson, 28, is only set to make $3.5 million for the rest of the season. That’s an extremely manageable number for teams looking to add another receiver to their offense.
Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season.
With the Panthers at 1-7, the organization is better off trading Johnson now for a draft pick than keeping him for the rest of the season.
Diontae Johnson’s Next Team
The Texans are a sneaky team to trade for Diontae Johnson.
There's a risk that Stefon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury.
Tank Dell is nowhere near himself this year.
Johnson is a pending UFA who won't be too expensive and can slot into the Diggs role.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) October 28, 2024
Which teams will attempt to acquire Johnson before the deadline?
The Houston Texans are in desperate need of receiver help. Nico Collins is currently out with a knee injury, while Stefon Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury on Sunday. Adding Johnson gives C.J. Stroud another target to pair with Tank Dell.
The San Francisco 49ers could be looking for more receiver depth after the season-ending injury to Brandon Aiyuk.
From @NFLGameDay: The #49ers are weighing whether to make a WR trade, but Christian McCaffrey should be back after the bye to help; Plus, new #Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins makes his debut today. pic.twitter.com/3o97weomzF
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2024
