Dave Canales compares Panthers' latest WR addition to two All-Pro level pass catchers

Bryce Young's coaching staff thinks highly of the talent they added around him during the early portion of free agency.  Namely, Young's new-look head coach Dave Canales feels that he finally has an elite wide receiver to throw the ball to downfield.  On Tuesday, Canales compared the addition of Diontae Johnson to adding two All-Pro […]

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Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales speaks to media during the NFL annual league meetings at the JW Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Young's coaching staff thinks highly of the talent they added around him during the early portion of free agency. 

Namely, Young's new-look head coach Dave Canales feels that he finally has an elite wide receiver to throw the ball to downfield. 

On Tuesday, Canales compared the addition of Diontae Johnson to adding two All-Pro and Pro Bowl-level pass-catchers within the scheme of the Panthers' offense. 

“It’s a dream for any quarterback, really,” Canales said. “To have that type of dynamic player, you think about guys like Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs and their ability to separate on the first level and the second level. It really is cool to add him to what we’re doing.”

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Johnson will be an immediate help to Young, who lacked an elite receiver during the 2023 season that could create separation. 

Unless one of the Panthers' draft picks hits it out of the park early, Johnson will most likely be Young's No. 1 option. That spells good news. 

The former Pittsburgh Steeler has a 1,000-yard season under his belt (2021). However, since then, he has been in quarterback purgatory. 

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) attempts to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) in the second half in the second half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis (39) attempts to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) in the second half in the second half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.Image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Young will be his first consistent quarterback since the days of Ben Roethlisberger. That is an improvement. 

Adding Johnson was also a risk worth taking. The Panthers traded away cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick for the 27-year-old.

Now it is up to Johnson to live up to the high expectations Canales just placed on his shoulders.