The Carolina Panthers fell to 1-7 by losing to the Denver Broncos in Week 8. With no hope of reaching the playoffs in 2024, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales will have to consider selling assets before the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline.
Now that multiple veteran receivers have been traded this season, Carolina wideout Diontae Johnson might be the best remaining option. Will the Panthers trade the pending free agent in the next week?
Panthers Likely To Trade Diontae Johnson Before Deadline
Johnson has already been traded once this year. The Panthers acquired him in a March sweep with the Pittsburgh Steelers that landed cornerback Donta Jackson in the AFC North.
Now, the 28-year-old appears likely to be moved again before next week’s deadline.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that “it wouldn’t be a surprise” to see Carolina trade Johnson over the next week. The Panthers have received inquiries on Johnson and are seeking a mid-round draft pick in a deal.
Schefter doubled down on that report on Monday, telling Pat McAfee that he expects “Carolina and Johnson will part ways” before next Tuesday.
"In my mind Diontae Johnson and Za'Darius Smith are gonna be traded before the deadline..
The Rams are only a game out in the NFC West and I don't expect them to move Cooper Kupp"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PhIPBmYAu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
Johnson is due roughly $3.5 million in base salary for the remainder of the 2024 campaign. Some NFL teams are willing to assume salary in trades to land a better draft pick. It’s unclear if the Panthers are open to that strategy or if they’d prefer to remove Johnson’s money from their books.
The Toledo Rockets alum didn’t practice last week or play in Carolina’s loss on Sunday while battling a rib injury. However, he told reporters on Friday that he hoped to play in Week 8. Speculatively, the Panthers may have held Johnson out against Denver to preserve his trade value.
Johnson was held to 36 receiving yards with Bryce Young working as Carolina’s starting quarterback in Weeks 1 and 2. But he thrived once Andy Dalton took over, catching 10 passes for a career-high 122 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ Week 3 victory over the Raiders. Johnson scored twice from Weeks 4 to 6 before a one-catch performance in Week 7.
Veteran wideouts Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins were traded over the past two weeks. Johnson and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Christian Kirk were the two most compelling WR trade candidates left on the board. But Kirk suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in Week 8, increasing Johnson’s value and Carolina’s leverage.
Which NFL Teams Might Trade for Johnson?
Los Angeles Chargers
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Los Angeles Chargers an 85.7% of making the playoffs after they moved to 4-3 by taking down the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
While they’re still in third place in the AFC West, Jim Harbaugh’s club will face the NFL’s fifth-easiest schedule over the remainder of the season. Boasting a defense that ranks first in scoring (13 points allowed per game) and fifth in EPA per play (-0.16), the Bolts could make a run if they can improve their offense.
Second-round rookie Ladd McConkey broke out with a 6-111-2 line in Week 8, while 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston posted two big games early in the season before injuring his ankle. Adding Johnson to the mix while shifting Joshua Palmer into a WR4 role might prod Chargers OC Greg Roman to open up the team’s passing attack.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers lost 2023 second-team All-Pro Brandon Aiyuk to a torn ACL/MCL in Week 7. Replacing Aiyuk represents a significant challenge, especially given that fellow 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel (rib/wrist/illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) are battling their own concerns.
Brock Purdy still has plenty of weapons, of course. Samuel and Jennings aren’t facing long-term absences. Christian McCaffrey should return in Week 10. George Kittle remains the NFL’s best overall tight end, and Niners first-round rookie WR Ricky Pearsall made his pro debut on Sunday.
Still, San Francisco is squarely in its win-now window, has plenty of cap space, and could go all-in by acquiring another pass catcher like Johnson.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense had been one of the NFL’s most exciting units through six weeks, but Week 7 turned into a nightmare.
Mike Evans suffered a hamstring injury during the first half that’s initially expected to sideline him through Tampa Bay’s Week 11 bye. Fellow wideout Chris Godwin went down with an even more serious injury, a dislocated ankle that will end the pending free agent’s season.
The Buccaneers have won three straight NFC South titles and are only a game behind the Atlanta Falcons for the division lead. Johnson would instantly become Baker Mayfield’s temporary WR1, bumping Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard, and Trey Palmer down a rung.
Washington Commanders
Noah Brown stepped up to catch Jayden Daniels’ game-winning Hail Mary in Week 8, but he’s not the most exciting option as the Washington Commanders’ WR2.
Johnson could make sense for a team like Washington, surprising contenders still in a revamp phase. He’s a pending free agent, so the Commanders wouldn’t be tying themselves to an aging player past this season.
First-year GM Adam Peters may not want to sacrifice a Day 2 choice for a half-season’s worth of Johnson’s production. If Washington could acquire Johnson for the fifth-round price the Kansas City Chiefs paid for Hopkins, the Commanders might be intrigued.