The Baltimore Ravens made a big addition on Tuesday when they acquired Diontae Johnson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, and the former Pro Bowl wide receiver may wind up costing them practically nothing.
The Ravens traded a fifth-round draft pick to Carolina in exchange for Johnson and a sixth-round pick. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes, Johnson is set to become a free agent after the season. Should the 28-year-old sign a deal with a team other than Baltimore that is worth at least $5 million per year, the Ravens will likely receive a compensatory sixth-round pick.
Baltimore flopped 5th- and 6th-round picks to trade for Diontae Johnson. Now if Johnson signs a contract that is equivalent to $5 million a year – and that should be a layup with wide receiver prices being what they are – he will get the Ravens a 6th-round pick back in 2026. https://t.co/fzMugifBhm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2024
“This is what good organizations do,” Schefter said. “They think about now, getting a great player who can beat man-to-man coverage on their roster, and they think about the future, where Diontae Johnson may help this team come up with an extra compensatory draft pick in 2026.”
What that also means is Carolina could have simply let Johnson walk in free agency and receive similar compensation to what they got in return from the Ravens.
Obviously, the Panthers wanted to unload Johnson. Some have wondered if the trade could be the start of a fire sale for the 1-7 team, though it does not sound like that is the plan.
Johnson now has a great opportunity to contribute to a Ravens offense that is one of the most talented in the NFL. If for some reason he does not carve out a significant role, the move will have cost Baltimore very little.
