NFL insider explains how Diontae Johnson will impact Ravens' wide receiver depth chart
The Baltimore Ravens made a bold move to trade for wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers at the cost of simply swapping a fifth-round pick for a sixth-round pick. Acquiring Johnson not only gives Baltimore another weapon for reigning MVP Lamar Jackson to target, it's a perfect response to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas […]
The Baltimore Ravens made a bold move to trade for wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers at the cost of simply swapping a fifth-round pick for a sixth-round pick.
Acquiring Johnson not only gives Baltimore another weapon for reigning MVP Lamar Jackson to target, it's a perfect response to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs making similar moves for Amari Cooper and Deandre Hopkins, respectively, leading up to the NFL trade deadline.
But what does Johnson's arrival mean for the Ravens' current starting receivers? The answer is rather positive.
Ramifications of Ravens trading for Diontae Johnson
Johnson is set to join Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as the top three receivers in Baltimore's offense, but Johnson won't immediately overtake either's role according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
The Ravens, per Anderson, still recognize Flowers and Bateman as the top two wideouts on the depth chart.
Flowers (57) and Bateman (33) are first and second, respectively, in targets through eight games. Integrating Johnson into the mix will naturally take some targets away from each of them, but at least from the start, their roles will not be changing.
"While, I'm told Johnson was brought to Baltimore for his speed, separation and punt returning abilities—especially with Deonte Harty’s (knee) listing on IR, it’s been reinforced to Flowers and Bateman, even going back to last year when the team added additional weapons at wideout, that the organization not only believes in the aforementioned duo but also has very high confidence in them. So I was told they 'are not messing with that.'" – Josina Anderson
Johnson will naturally cut into someone's workload in the beginning and the obvious answer is Nelson Agholor. He's third in targets for receivers in Baltimore but tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews along with running back Justice Hill have all seen the ball more than him this year. Per Anderson, Johnson is even staying with Agholor.
"However, I'm told there’s potential that Nelson Agholor’s reps might feel the impact more than anyone else, but a vibe change is not expected to result from any displacement as I’m hearing the current plan is for Nelly to host Johnson at his house while Johnson gets acclimated to his most recent team swop. Currently, Agholor has 11 receptions for 170 yards on 22 targets on the season." – Josina Anderson
The Ravens didn't trade for Johnson not to play him. His role will likely grow as the rest of the season progresses and Bateman's targets and playing time might see a decrease as a result. As of now, the Ravens don't want to muddy with the dynamic between him and Flowers.
Johnson practiced in Baltimore for the first time Wednesday and will make his Ravens debut this Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
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