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Fantasy Football: What Diontae Johnson’s Move to Ravens Means for Fantasy Managers

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Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published4 hours ago on October 29, 2024

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What Diontae Johnson’s Move to Ravens Means for Fantasy Managers

Diontae Johnson has been traded back to the AFC North. What does Johnson’s trade mean for fantasy football managers? 

Diontae Johnson’s journey with Carolina became nothing more than a stopover, a brief intermission before the actual story resumed. Traded from the Steelers to the Panthers just months ago, Johnson finds himself back in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens in a low-stakes deal—Baltimore sending a fifth-round pick in return for a sixth and Johnson.

Johnson brings the potential for a deeper offensive threat for a team already excelling in offensive efficiency, second in both EPA per play and success rate. In Carolina, he struggled to connect with rookie Bryce Young, but the switch to Andy Dalton changed everything. Over three weeks with Dalton, Johnson put up top-12 fantasy weeks, showcasing the skill that made him a Pro Bowler in 2021. His 2024 season, so far, reflects his comeback: 357 yards and three touchdowns through seven games.

For Carolina, the loss of Johnson leaves a gap that’s hard to fill. In Baltimore, he joins a team with playoff aspirations, his skill set offering a much-needed boost to an already dynamic Ravens offense. Sometimes, the second chance leads to the story’s best chapter.

So, how does the Johnson trade impact fantasy managers?

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Fantasy Impact on Diontae Johnson and Ravens’ Skill Players

The Ravens’ offense, led by Lamar Jackson and now featuring Derrick Henry, is about to enter a new phase—a blend of power and precision that will reshape Baltimore’s playbook. For fantasy fans, the impact might be subtle on individual stats, but this is a game-changer for the team as a whole.

Zay Flowers is emerging in his sophomore season, no longer limited to quick screens but now stretching the field on slants and in-breaking routes. Then there’s Rashod Bateman, finally healthy and finding his rhythm at X-receiver, delivering some of the league’s most efficient and impactful plays. He ranks fourth in both EPA per target and percentage of catches resulting in a first down or touchdown, a testament to his timing with Jackson.

Mark Andrews, always a reliable presence, is stabilizing his season alongside Isaiah Likely, each contributing crucial moments at tight end. Johnson, newly added, will find stability here, but he’s not yet a fantasy fixture. He may see a boost in touchdowns as he works with Lamar Jackson, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense, and it’s already a run-heavy team.

Fantasy Impact on the Panther’s Skill Players

In Carolina, the rookie Xavier Legette may be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy standpoint. He now steps into the role of WR1, holding the reins in the absence of veteran Adam Thielen, who remains on injured reserve. There’s even talk that Thielen, the seasoned presence in the Panthers’ receiving corps, could be dealt before the trade deadline—a move that would solidify Legette’s place even further. Behind him, Jalen Coker will likely rise to WR2, which would also give him a bump in targets and production.

The value of guaranteed targets can’t be overstated for a team in transition. Legette and Coker, young but capable, might soon find themselves on the radar of fantasy managers searching for depth during the bye-heavy stretch of the season. And with Andy Dalton expected back under center, there’s potential for more than a few bright moments for these young pass-catchers in Carolina.