49ers trade target Diontae Johnson lands with the Ravens

With Brandon Aiyuk out for a year with a torn ACL, a torn ACL and a torn meniscus, the San Francisco 49ers are a possible buyer in the wide receiver market.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked on Monday if the team would address wide receiver in a timely manner given the injuries on the team:

“It’s not necessarily just about addressing certain positions. You look at what is available that you think can help your team become better. And if there’s anything out there that we think can help our team improve immediately without hurting us going forward, then we’re always looking at that.”

Ricky Pearsall showed promise in his two games, and the 49ers selected Jacob Cowing in the fourth round, with Jauan Jennings returning to the squad after the bye week. The 49ers lack a proven “X” receiver who can create separation against man coverage.

The Carolina Panthers look to be sellers at the trade deadline and are 1-7. Joe Person of The Athletic named five players the Panthers could likely move on and named Diontae Johnson as a trade target with the 49ers.

“It feels like it's a matter of when, not if Morgan moves on from a player he only bought in March. The Panthers drafted Johnson from Pittsburgh knowing his history as a shifty receiver who could break out of coverage but wasn't afraid to call the shots when he felt like he wasn't getting enough balls. The Panthers decided not to extend Johnson until the final year of his contract, so there was always the possibility that Johnson would go out on loan. Johnson looked at times like he could be a No. 1 receiver deserving of a big contract, particularly because of his two-game stretch with 15 receptions on 27 targets during Andy Dalton's first two starts.”

Johnson was clearly frustrated with his role in the offense, but Dalton's emergence as a starter showed how valuable he can be.

Kyle's update, 11:08 a.m. PT: Diontae Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in a pick swap. Baltimore receives Carolina's fifth-rounder in exchange for its sixth-rounder in 2025.

Person added: “After Johnson was ruled out for the Denver game after a second straight week in which he did not practice, there is a feeling around the league that Johnson's time in Charlotte is soon coming to an end.” The Panthers should be able to select Johnson in the fifth round by a team like Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Washington or an AFC contender like Los Angeles or Houston, where Stefon Diggs left on Sunday with a potentially serious knee injury. ”

A fifth-round pick is low for a receiver who can separate and would easily thrive in Kyle Shanahan's offense. In general, the 49ers have struck gold in the fifth round, but the decision to draft a proven separatist at the position is an easy decision.