Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Beatdown staff react to the Baltimore Ravens trading for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
According to multiple reports, the Baltimore Ravens have traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Below are the reactions from the staff here at Baltimore Beatdown.
Adding an extra receiver is a boost for the offense. While Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers are acceptable in their roles, the depth left much to be desired. If one were to go down, it would largely hamper the receiving unit.
Johnson brings with him a bevy of experience and playmaking ability. Certainly when it comes to playing in the AFC North.
The Ravens have made a necessary acquisition in Johnson to improve the roster. But one more move, be it for a pass rusher or safety, would put them in true Super Bowl contention. — Kyle Phoenix
The Ravens moved back about a dozen picks on Day 3 of the 2025 draft to acquire Johnson, a cheap, smart upgrade over Nelson Agholor at WR3 that doesn’t preclude Eric DeCosta from making another move ahead of next week’s deadline. He might not be the defensive addition fans were clamoring for, but Johnson is still putting up more than 50 yards per game in that Panthers offense and could even net the Ravens a future compensatory pick if his value jumps after half a season playing with Lamar Jackson. DeCosta should still be hunting for an upgrade to his pass defense, but he’s ensure he won’t lead this deadline empty-handed. Maybe the best defense is an even more explosive offense? — Nikhil Mehta
While adding pass-catching talent was not high on the list of pressing needs for this team, their depth at wide receiver after Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor was shallow and unproven. This move provides Lamar Jackson with another route-running technician and three receivers who excel at gaining separation and making plays down the field. The Pro Bowl veteran will likely supplant Agholor as the No. 3 option in short order. He could contend with Bateman for the No. 2 spot depending on how quickly he builds chemistry and establishes a rapport with the reigning league MVP and current frontrunner. The compensation of Day 3 pick swaps and not taking on a hefty salary was a very savvy and low-cost-high-reward by Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta who I hope can find a way to bring in some dependable reinforcements on the other side of the ball before next week’s deadline at safety, edge rusher or interior defensive line because all of those are in much greater need of being addressed. — Joshua Reed
This is the move that was needed on the offensive side. A WR3 that doesn’t take targets from Flowers or Bateman that can be more reliable and explosive than Agholor. He will allow Flowers to move to the inside where he is practically unguardable. It takes nothing away from where the offense thrives, in two tight end sets...
