Panthers trading WR Diontae Johnson to Ravens

The Carolina Panthers are trading wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens confirmed the deal on Tuesday while noting that the trade is contingent on Johnson passing a physical.

Per multiple reports, the trade entails a draft pick swap. The Ravens are sending a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft to Carolina. The Panthers are sending a sixth-round pick in 2025 alongside Johnson in return.

The trade adds a new offensive weapon to a Ravens unit that’s arguably been the league’s best through the first eight weeks of the season. Baltimore leads the league with 452.1 yards of offense per game and ranks second to the Detroit Lions with 30.3 points per game.

Johnson joins a wide receiving corps that features 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers and 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman, who’s in the midst of a breakout season with 22 catches for 422 yards and three touchdowns through eight games.

A former Pro Bowler with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson was playing in his first season with the Panthers. In seven games, he was Carolina’s leading receiver with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

He leaves an offense that’s been among the league’s worst with Bryce Young and Andy Dalton at quarterback to playing with a two-time MVP and leading candidate to win this year’s award in Lamar Jackson. Baltimore, meanwhile, upgrades its already potent offense for a swap of late-round draft picks.

With an upset loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the Ravens dropped to 5-3 and find themselves in the middle of the pack of AFC playoff contenders. They trail the AFC-leading Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) by 2.5 games and are a game behind the 6-2 Steelers in the AFC North standings.

The Ravens are scheduled to host the Denver Broncos on Sunday before division games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Steelers in Weeks 10 and 11.