The Carolina Panthers made no move to extend wide receiver Diontae Johnson after trading for the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout in March, as they prefer to see whether he emerges as the explosive, coverage-separating pass-catcher that quarterback Bryce Young and the offense lacked in 2023. If Johnson proves he's a difference-maker in his first year in Carolina and if he doesn't become a distraction when the ball doesn't come his way, he could be set to cash in next offseason in a receiver market that has exploded in recent years. The 27-year-old disappointed as Pittsburgh's top receiver last year, catching a career-low 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson will now be competing with veteran Adam Thielen for targets in what was the worst offense in the league last year. Most of Johnson's fantasy value will be tied to how much Young improves in Year 2. Consider Johnson a low-end WR3/high-WR4 target in fantasy drafts.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is entering the final year of his contract and has every reason to make the most of his first season with second-year quarterback Bryce Young. If Johnson can strike up some chemistry with Young, the 27-year-old wideout could be in position to cash in on the open market next March. "It's crazy seeing everybody getting big contracts," Johnson said. "It just motivates me to keep working," Johnson said. The 2021 Pro Bowler wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh and will now be a part of an offense that was atrocious in Young's rookie season in 2023. Johnson had lots of volume with the Steelers but struggled for efficiency. In Carolina, that volume isn't guaranteed, lowering his fantasy floor as low-end WR3/high-end WR4.
The Carolina Panthers acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and pick No. 240 overall in this year's NFL draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and pick No. 178 overall in this year's draft, according to sources. The move leaves the Steelers dangerously thin at the receiver position, with George Pickens and Calvin Austin III as the team's top two wideouts with Johnson gone. Johnson, 27, finished last year with a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns. He'll move to a Panthers offense desperately seeking playmakers and should be one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets, other than veteran Adam Thielen. Johnson's chances for a fantasy rebound in 2024 don't look great in Carolina, but perhaps he can develop some nice chemistry with Young and feed off volume.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Steelers are open to trade offers for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. "There is interest from teams around the league as GMs are getting set for free agency," said Russini. Johnson signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Steelers in August of 2022 and is set to be a free agent after this season. With inconsistent quarterback play from the Steelers, the 27-year-old managed to catch 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns across 13 games in 2023. He owned 18.2% of the team's target share and averaged 5.2 yards after the catch. Johnson has a cap hit of $15.8 million. It's unclear if Johnson will return to the Steelers for a sixth season, but the Steelers are listening to offers, and a change of scenery could only boost his fantasy value in 2024. Stay tuned.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson secured four of his seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Although Johnson finished third on the team in targets and receiving yards on Monday, he was arguably Pittsburgh's most impactful player. He was on the receiving end of quarterback Mason Rudolph's first touchdown pass of the contest that gave the Steelers life after quickly surrendering 21 points. The 27-year-old had an up-and-down season for fantasy purposes but was productive with six touchdowns in his 14 total games played. He figures to remain an integral piece of the Steelers' passing attack in the 2024-2025 campaign.
Diontae Johnson Has Little Upside In Wild-Card Round
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson closed the regular season with a strong performance and will look to find continued success against the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, this contest is projected to be a low-scoring affair due to the harsh winter weather conditions in Buffalo. Elemental challenges aside, this is a difficult matchup for Johnson as the Bills have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wideouts throughout the 2023-2024 campaign. Because Johnson frequently runs routes close to the line of scrimmage, he should still provide a relatively safe floor as a go-to guy for Mason Rudolph, but he can't be viewed as anything more than a middling fantasy WR2 on Sunday.
Diontae Johnson Scores Longest Touchdown Of Career In Week 18
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson secured four of his five targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in the team's 17-10 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Johnson's numbers were modest heading into the fourth quarter, but he came through with the biggest play of the contest after taking a strike from Mason Rudolph into the end zone for a 71-yard score. The play was the longest of Johnson's five-year career and gave Pittsburgh a lead that it did not lose hold of. Should the Steelers make it into the playoffs, Johnson will be carrying positive momentum into the first round with back-to-back solid performances to close the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was productive with four opportunities last week and will hope to see more involvement against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. Baltimore has already secured a first-round playoff bye and is thus expected to rest many key starters on Saturday. With the Steelers looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, Johnson should remain on the field for the entirety of the contest and could provide fantasy value with Mason Rudolph under center. In Rudolph's two starts this season, Pittsburgh has averaged over 432 yards of offense and 32 points per game. Fantasy managers should view Johnson as a solid WR3 with some upside this week.
Diontae Johnson Bounces Back With 76 Yards In Week 17 Win
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson caught all four of his targets for 76 yards in a 30-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Although Johnson was once again outperformed by George Pickens, the 27-year-old managed a solid showing of his own and displayed some chemistry with quarterback Mason Rudolph. He was on the receiving end of Pittsburgh's biggest play of the contest, turning a short pass into a 42-yard gain that led to a Najee Harris rushing touchdown on the next play. With Rudolph under center, the Steelers are flashing some upside offensively, but volume is not necessarily guaranteed for Johnson. He'll continue to offer some appeal as a flex option in PPR formats against the Baltimore Ravens next week.
Diontae Johnson Draws Favorable Matchup In Week 17
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson finished with just two receptions in Week 16 but will hope to have a more prominent role against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Although Johnson earned five targets from quarterback Mason Rudolph last week, he was quiet for fantasy purposes while teammate George Pickens exploded for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Both Pittsburgh wideouts should be involved against a Seattle defense that ranks in the bottom half of NFL teams in passing yards allowed and fantasy points given up to receivers this season. With Rudolph drawing another start, it's difficult to project exactly how Johnson will be utilized, but fantasy managers can still view the 27-year-old as a viable WR3 or flex option in a favorable matchup.
