WR PIT
College: Toledo | 5 years
Height: 5'10" | Weight: 183 lbs
Birth Date: 1996-07-05
2024 Bye Week: 11
Total Pts: 152.7
Avg Pts: 8.98
Rank: 45 WR
Vato Loco
Johnson had some struggles last year, battling injury while getting poor quarterback play. He finished with a career-low 51 receptions. He did make bigger plays, though, averaging a career-best 14.1 yards per reception. He made more big plays thanks to a 12.7 ADOT (averaged depth of target when targeted). Johnson has 85-plus receptions three of his last four seasons. He was traded to the Panthers this offseason and should be the top target in their passing game. Johnson is a small receiver with top speed and great moves. He can get in and out of his breaks in a hurry, making him a solid route runner. He lacks a little size, though, and can get pushed around in coverage. Johnson also will struggle some with drops but did much better in that area last season (just two drops).
FANTASY OUTLOOK: Adam Thielen racked up the targets from Bryce Young in this offense last season. Look for Johnson to take over that role for Thielen this year, making him a good buy-low candidate. Thielen was 18th overall in fantasy receiver scoring and Johnson is a much better option at this stage of his career. Johnson could end up a solid No. 2 for fantasy teams. He can get 100 receptions for 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns.
Fantasy Week | Pts | Scoring |
---|---|---|
Week 1 | 7.80 | Diontae Johnson 48 receiving yds (4.80 pts) Diontae Johnson 3 receptions (3.00 pts) |
Week 2 | 0.00 | |
Week 3 | 0.00 | |
Week 4 | 0.00 | |
Week 5 | 0.00 | |
Week 6 | ||
Week 7 | 12.90 | Diontae Johnson 79 receiving yds (7.90 pts) Diontae Johnson 5 receptions (5.00 pts) |
Week 8 | 16.50 | Diontae Johnson 85 receiving yds (8.50 pts) Diontae Johnson 8 receptions (8.00 pts) |
Week 9 | 22.00 | Diontae Johnson 90 receiving yds (9.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 7 receptions (7.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 1 receiving TD (6.00 pts) . . . Diontae Johnson 3 yd TD pass from Kenny Pickett |
Week 10 | 2.70 | Diontae Johnson 17 receiving yds (1.70 pts) Diontae Johnson 1 reception (1.00 pts) |
Week 11 | 3.60 | Diontae Johnson 16 receiving yds (1.60 pts) Diontae Johnson 2 receptions (2.00 pts) |
Week 12 | 9.00 | Diontae Johnson 50 receiving yds (5.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 4 receptions (4.00 pts) |
Week 13 | 13.30 | Diontae Johnson 33 receiving yds (3.30 pts) Diontae Johnson 4 receptions (4.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 1 receiving TD (6.00 pts) . . . Diontae Johnson 2 yd TD pass from Mitch Trubisky |
Week 14 | 14.70 | Diontae Johnson 57 receiving yds (5.70 pts) Diontae Johnson 3 receptions (3.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 1 receiving TD (6.00 pts) . . . Diontae Johnson 25 yd TD pass from Mitch Trubisky |
Playoff Week 1 | 16.20 | Diontae Johnson 62 receiving yds (6.20 pts) Diontae Johnson 4 receptions (4.00 pts) Diontae Johnson 1 receiving TD (6.00 pts) . . . Diontae Johnson 4 yd TD pass from Mitch Trubisky |
Playoff Week 2 | 3.50 | Diontae Johnson 15 receiving yds (1.50 pts) Diontae Johnson 2 receptions (2.00 pts) |
Playoff Week 3 | 11.60 | Diontae Johnson 76 receiving yds (7.60 pts) Diontae Johnson 4 receptions (4.00 pts) |
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
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson secured four of his seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Although Johnson finished third on the team in targets and receiving yards on Monday, he was arguably Pittsburgh's most impactful player. He was on the receiving end of quarterback Mason Rudolph's first touchdown pass of the contest that gave the Steelers life after quickly surrendering 21 points. The 27-year-old had an up-and-down season for fantasy purposes but was productive with six touchdowns in his 14 total games played. He figures to remain an integral piece of the Steelers' passing attack in the 2024-2025 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson closed the regular season with a strong performance and will look to find continued success against the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, this contest is projected to be a low-scoring affair due to the harsh winter weather conditions in Buffalo. Elemental challenges aside, this is a difficult matchup for Johnson as the Bills have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wideouts throughout the 2023-2024 campaign. Because Johnson frequently runs routes close to the line of scrimmage, he should still provide a relatively safe floor as a go-to guy for Mason Rudolph, but he can't be viewed as anything more than a middling fantasy WR2 on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
NFL Week | Opp | Pts | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TDs | Rec Tgt | 100 Yds | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TDs | Fum Lost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Season | 152.70 | 51 | 717 | 5 | |||||||
Week 1 | SF | 7.80 | 3 | 48 | 0 | ||||||
Week 2 | CLE | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 3 | @LV | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 4 | @HOU | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 5 | BAL | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Week 6 | bye | ||||||||||
Week 7 | @LAR | 12.90 | 5 | 79 | 0 | ||||||
Week 8 | JAX | 16.50 | 8 | 85 | 0 | ||||||
Week 9 | TEN | 22.00 | 7 | 90 | 1 | ||||||
Week 10 | GB | 2.70 | 1 | 17 | 0 | ||||||
Week 11 | @CLE | 3.60 | 2 | 16 | 0 | ||||||
Week 12 | @CIN | 9.00 | 4 | 50 | 0 | ||||||
Week 13 | ARI | 13.30 | 4 | 33 | 1 | ||||||
Week 14 | NE | 14.70 | 3 | 57 | 1 | ||||||
Week 15 | @IND | 16.20 | 4 | 62 | 1 | ||||||
Week 16 | CIN | 3.50 | 2 | 15 | 0 | ||||||
Week 17 | @SEA | 11.60 | 4 | 76 | 0 | ||||||
Week 18 | @BAL | 18.90 | 4 | 89 | 1 | ||||||
Wildcard | @BUF | 14.80 | 4 | 48 | 1 |