Sports Illustrated's Tim Weaver suggests that the Carolina Panthers could consider signing new wide receiver Diontae Johnson to a long-term contract extension to create more salary cap space heading into Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. The Panthers already gave up cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round draft pick to acquire Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. If they don't sign Johnson to an extension, they could see him walk next March in free agency. If Carolina decides to extend Johnson, they could save up to $7.1 million against this year's cap. The 28-year-old missed some time in training camp this summer with minor injuries but played in the preseason finale and caught one of two targets for 17 yards. Johnson is expected to be the top pass-catcher in Carolina this year for what should be an improved offense. Fantasy managers should target him as a WR3/flex.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that wide receiver Diontae Johnson (illness) was held out of Thursday's training camp practice due to an illness. The Panthers are still hoping that Johnson will be feeling good enough to suit up on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills in the preseason finale after not playing at all in the first two preseason contests. Johnson has dealt with several minor injuries in his first camp with the Panthers this summer but should be fully healthy for the start of the 2024 regular season. Carolina acquired the 28-year-old from the Pittsburgh Steelers, hoping he can be a spark to improve the offense drastically in quarterback Bryce Young's second season. Efficiency and volume have been problems for Johnson in the past, but he should see enough volume with his new squad (if healthy) in 2024 to be in play as a weekly WR3/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ankle, foot) went down at training camp practice on Tuesday with an apparent ankle/foot injury and was seen walking with a limp. It comes just as Johnson returned to the practice field after missing less than a week with a minor groin injury. It's not great news for the big offseason acquisition, but we'll have to wait for more word on the severity of Johnson's ankle/foot injury. When healthy, the 28-year-old former Pittsburgh Steeler has been one of second-year quarterback Bryce Young's favorite targets in training camp. The former third-rounder had his first 1,000-yard season in 2021 in Pittsburgh but has regressed since and even went without a touchdown in all of 2022. Carolina's offense figures to be better in 2024, and Johnson should be Young's top target when healthy, giving him WR3/flex value. Check back for more updates on Johnson's condition.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) isn't expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets. This doesn't come as much of a surprise considering Johnson has missed the last two practices. He continues to deal with a strained groin that hopefully won't be something that lingers into the regular season. He'll be joined on the sideline by a majority of the Panthers starters. That being said, Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall figure to see a majority of the starting snaps at wideout on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) did not participate in Thursday's practice at training camp. Johnson continues to be bothered by a mild groin strain, and it doesn't look like he'll be active for the Panthers in Saturday's preseason game against the visiting New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium. His status needs to be monitored by fantasy managers going forward, but the injury is not yet enough to move Johnson's place as a fringe WR2/3 in rankings at the moment. The 28-year-old former Pro Bowler should dominate targets in his new role as the top option in Carolina's passing game this season, having recorded a career-high 14.1 yards per reception over 51 catches with the Pittsburgh Steelers a year ago.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) is dealing with a mild groin strain and is considered day-to-day, head coach Dave Canales told reporters at Wednesday's practice during training camp. Soft-tissue injuries always have a chance to linger, but it would likely be an overreaction at this point to significantly alter Johnson's standing in fantasy rankings based on this development. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to practice ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the visiting New York Jets. Without very much competition surrounding him in Carolina's receiving corps, Johnson figures to be the focal point of the Panthers' passing game in 2024 as quarterback Bryce Young's top target. The 27-year-old veteran wideout is a WR3 with WR2 upside in the second half of fantasy drafts this summer.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers made no move to extend wide receiver Diontae Johnson after trading for the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout in March, as they prefer to see whether he emerges as the explosive, coverage-separating pass-catcher that quarterback Bryce Young and the offense lacked in 2023. If Johnson proves he's a difference-maker in his first year in Carolina and if he doesn't become a distraction when the ball doesn't come his way, he could be set to cash in next offseason in a receiver market that has exploded in recent years. The 27-year-old disappointed as Pittsburgh's top receiver last year, catching a career-low 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson will now be competing with veteran Adam Thielen for targets in what was the worst offense in the league last year. Most of Johnson's fantasy value will be tied to how much Young improves in Year 2. Consider Johnson a low-end WR3/high-WR4 target in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is entering the final year of his contract and has every reason to make the most of his first season with second-year quarterback Bryce Young. If Johnson can strike up some chemistry with Young, the 27-year-old wideout could be in position to cash in on the open market next March. "It's crazy seeing everybody getting big contracts," Johnson said. "It just motivates me to keep working," Johnson said. The 2021 Pro Bowler wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh and will now be a part of an offense that was atrocious in Young's rookie season in 2023. Johnson had lots of volume with the Steelers but struggled for efficiency. In Carolina, that volume isn't guaranteed, lowering his fantasy floor as low-end WR3/high-end WR4.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Steelers are trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. Dynasty Analysis: And Johnson thought it was hard to catch touchdowns in Pittsburgh!?! The trade is for a late round pick swap and cornerback Donte Jackson. Johnson will find himself on a depth chart that includes Adam Thielen and DJ Chark but also with quarterback Bryce Young, who struggled mightily in year one. In the end, Johnson should be able to maintain his value and could lead the team in receiving yards next year but Young needs to show massive improvement for anyone to be excited about this.

The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback Donte Jackson and pick No. 178 in this year's NFL draft on Tuesday from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver Diontae Johnson and pick No. 240 overall in this year's draft, according to sources. If the Panthers hadn't traded the 28-year-old Jackson, he was likely going to be a salary cap casualty this offseason. The former second-round selection by Carolina in 2018 out of LSU will give the Steelers an experienced corner that should start across from second-year corner Joey Porter. Jackson has 14 career interceptions in six NFL seasons, but he had none in 2023 while also adding 59 tackles (49 solo), five tackles for loss, five passes defended and a forced fumble in 16 starts. Fantasy managers can ignore him in IDP leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Carolina Panthers acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and pick No. 240 overall in this year's NFL draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and pick No. 178 overall in this year's draft, according to sources. The move leaves the Steelers dangerously thin at the receiver position, with George Pickens and Calvin Austin III as the team's top two wideouts with Johnson gone. Johnson, 27, finished last year with a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns. He'll move to a Panthers offense desperately seeking playmakers and should be one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets, other than veteran Adam Thielen. Johnson's chances for a fantasy rebound in 2024 don't look great in Carolina, but perhaps he can develop some nice chemistry with Young and feed off volume.

From RotoBaller

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Steelers are open to trade offers for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. "There is interest from teams around the league as GMs are getting set for free agency," said Russini. Johnson signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Steelers in August of 2022 and is set to be a free agent after this season. With inconsistent quarterback play from the Steelers, the 27-year-old managed to catch 51 passes for 717 yards and five touchdowns across 13 games in 2023. He owned 18.2% of the team's target share and averaged 5.2 yards after the catch. Johnson has a cap hit of $15.8 million. It's unclear if Johnson will return to the Steelers for a sixth season, but the Steelers are listening to offers, and a change of scenery could only boost his fantasy value in 2024. Stay tuned.

From RotoBaller