Popular trade candidate Christian Kirk will remain with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the former second-round pick’s season-ending injury indirectly affects Diontae Johnson. With Davante Adams and Amari Cooper already finding new homes, Johnson, Kirk, and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp were the three top names on the trade market. However, with Kirk sidelined and the Rams only one game out of first place in the NFC West, Johnson is left standing as the prize jewel on the open market.
A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the impending free agent is not an All-Pro-caliber player but is a capable top option in any passing attack. Making a name for himself despite catching passes from an abysmal list of quarterbacks, the 1-7 Carolina Panthers will trade Diontae Johnson to the highest bidder while continuing to see what they have in first-round pick Xavier Legette and impressive undrafted free agent Jalen Coker. As the top option remaining, the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders could get into a bidding war for his services.
Update (2:10 EST): The Baltimore Ravens have traded for Diontae Johnson
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Christian Kirk Injury Raises Price In Diontae Johnson Trade Talks
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the league’s top offenses but could use more depth at wide receiver. Lamar Jackson is playing like an MVP and Derrick Henry is dominating opposing defenses, but this team could use another reliable set of hands. 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers is playing up to his draft capital, but the same cannot be said for 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman. While he’s a fine depth piece, executing a Diontae Johnson trade could make this offense the most unstoppable unit in the league.
Despite being a six-year veteran, it’s possible we haven’t seen the best of Diontae Johnson. The wide receiver has remained productive despite catching passes from Mason Rudolph, a washed-up Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, and Bryce Young. If he can make a Pro Bowl with this type of quarterbacking, then imagine what he could do with Lamar Jackson. Opposing defenses won’t have the resources to cover Flowers and Diontae Johnson while giving the run game the respect it deserves, so the trade target should excel with Baltimore.
Compromising For Jayden Daniels
Second-overall pick Jayden Daniels played like a man possessed early in the season, guiding the Commanders to the top spot in the NFC East standings. However, the LSU product is playing through a painful rib injury and might not be his usual self down the stretch. He struggled against the Chicago Bears, as a last-second Hail Mary saved what was otherwise a rather underwhelming stat line. Rather than asking him to be superhuman every week, Washington could trade for Diontae Johnson and make life easier on their superstar rookie.
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JAYDEN DANIELS HAIL MARY! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/BsQ0Z84Rko
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Terry McLaurin remains a great wide receiver, but the rest of the depth chart could use some work. 34-year-old tight end Zach Ertz is second on the team in receiving yards, followed by journeyman Noah Brown and the aging Austin Ekeler. This team needs another wide receiver to step up, and Diontae Johnson is the best option on the trade block. With new ownership desperate to make fans forget about the Dan Snyder Era, look for Washington to go all-in and secure a player who could help this team go deep into the playoffs.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
