The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson to try and give Bryce Young a better chance at developing this year. Diontae Johnson’s fantasy start has been disappointing with Bryce, to say the least, and the team still hasn’t engaged in any contract extension talks. With rumors swirling of Johnson being a trade candidate, how would a new team impact his rest-of-season fantasy outlook?
Fantasy Football Impact of a Diontae Johnson Trade
Ravens Impact
If Johnson heads back to the AFC North it’s likely a net neutral impact on his fantasy impact. Zay Flowers has already cemented himself as the number-one option in the Ravens offense. Johnson is certainly an upgrade over Rashod Bateman, so Lamar Jackson would get a small boost. Baltimore’s pass volume has increased tremendously, but they’ve also found themselves in negative gamescripts in the first two weeks. That’s unlikely to stay the norm, and Diontae Johnson would become a flex option or a WR3 on injury-decimated teams.
Chiefs Impact
This would crush any Xavier Worthy excitement for this year, but with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, he’d still get a spike week here and there. Diontae would operate as the team’s intermediate area target, which is sorely needed. Mahomes slight bump up, Johnson bigger bump up, and a contract extension in KC would be gold for Johnson’s dynasty value.
Chargers Impact
There’s not many rooms that Johnson could walk into and be the clear number one target. Los Angeles is one of them. Harbaugh might not jive with his lack of effort in the run game, so it would be a game of chicken between playing his best receiver and Johnson tying his head on straight to give effort run blocking. Herbert would be the best quarterback Johnson has played with by light years, and his separation rate might finally be rewarded with fantasy points.
Me going back to work after Thanksgiving break pic.twitter.com/0i2AAhfFdR
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) November 27, 2023
Cowboys Impact on Diontae Johnson
The WR2 across from Lamb has been a question mark for years. Johnson would fill the role, and be a mid tier WR2 as long as Dak Prescott is slinging it. The Cowboys don’t have the personnel to run the ball effectively, and Johnson in the short and intermediate area could be an extension of the run game. Targets galore, and hopefully more scoring opportunities would give Johnson a significant bump.
Rams Impact
The Rams WR1 for Week 3 is either Tyler Johnson or Demarcus Robinson. With that in mind, Johnson would become a smash start in McVay’s offense, and this is likely the best landing spot for him until Kupp or Nacua return from injury. The other landing spots make him a viable starter, the Rams make him a must start option in almost every format.
Last Word on Diontae Johnson Trade and It’s Fantasy Impact
If Johnson is on the move, his fantasy value is on the move up. There aren’t many situations worse than Carolina right now, and Johnson has been cursed with some of the worst QB play in the league. Get him into a competent offense, and let his fantasy and dynasty value skyrocket.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
