Sources – Ravens trade for Panthers WR Diontae Johnson

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the NFL's No. 1 offense have landed a veteran target who can add a new dimension to the passing attack.

The Ravens traded for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson in a draft pick swap on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ravens will send the Panthers a fifth-round pick for Johnson and Carolina's sixth-round selection, the sources told Schefter.

It's the second time Johnson has been traded this year. The Panthers acquired Johnson before the season from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens' AFC North rival. According to ESPN Research, Johnson will become just the third wide receiver since 2000 to catch a pass as a Raven and Steeler, joining Mike Wallace and Miles Boykin.

Johnson indicated to ESPN last month that he would like to re-sign with the Panthers (1-7) after the season. But as losses mounted and frustration set in, it became clear that Johnson was ready to move on.

He did not play in Carolina's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday due to a rib injury he played with the previous week, prompting coach Dave Canales to be asked about the decision to move the receiver , had anything to do with keeping him healthy for trade value.

Canales pointed to general manager Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis, executive vice president of football operations.

Baltimore can pair Johnson with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman to spread out the defense more often. The Ravens have used three or more wide receivers in 163 games, which is the second fewest in the NFL.

Jackson is having his best season as a passer, throwing for 2,099 yards, which ranks 5th in the NFL this season. His 9.7 yards per attempt when targeting a wide receiver is third-best behind Sam Darnold (10.7) and Jared Goff (9.7).

Where Johnson can help Jackson the most is on throws near the sideline. According to ESPN Research, the Ravens' wide receivers have combined for 29 catches on passes thrown outside the numbers this season, the third fewest in the NFL. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Johnson has totaled 242 catches on passes outside the numbers, the sixth-most in the league during that span.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta continues to be very aggressive in improving the team as the season progresses. This is DeCosta's fourth season move in the last six seasons. His previous additions include cornerback Marcus Peters (2019), defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (2020) and middle linebacker Roquan Smith (2022).

The Panthers dealt Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson in March, as well as a sixth-round pick for Johnson and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft.

Johnson was brought in to upgrade quarterback Bryce Young, but they combined to manage just five receptions for 34 yards in an 0-2 start, leading to the top pick of the 2023 draft being benched in favor of Andy Dalton became.

In Dalton's debut, a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. He had 15 catches for 205 yards in two games, but caught just 10 passes for 123 yards in the next three games.

With Johnson gone, Carolina's receiving corps will consist of veteran Adam Thielen, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, first-round pick Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore and undrafted rookie Jalen Coker.

ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report.