The Pittsburgh Steelers traded WR Deontay Johnson to the Carolina Panthers early in the offseason, and Johnson will be playing out the final year of his contract with Carolina. The Panthers are looking to develop second-year QB Bryce Young, and with a revamped receiver corps that also includes second-round pick Xavier Leggett, former Panthers pro scout and linebacker Luke Cookley thinks Johnson will have a big role to play. Monday at Up & AdamsCookley said Johnson could be a “bigger deal” in Carolina than people think.
“I think the Diontae Johnson case is going to be a bigger deal than we think. Obviously. [Adam] Thielen can control the slot, the middle of the field, but you need a guy who can just get open on third down. They’re going to make a play, you’re going to have help inside, they’re going to try to get you there. Just being able to win one-on-one in man coverage is what he does really well.”
Johnson’s biggest attribute is his ability to get open, and he’s consistently rated as one of the most open receivers in the NFL. That should help a Carolina offense that struggled during Young’s rookie season, and it’ll give him another reliable weapon on the outside, especially on money downs, as Kukley noted.
Johnson’s attitude is why he’s no longer a Steeler, but in Carolina, he’ll be motivated to play his best football to cash in on a new contract after the season. The Panthers are unlikely to be contenders, but Johnson can put together a strong individual season to help the team develop Young and help his market.
But if his attitude issues come into play, it could be detrimental to a young Panthers offense that’s trying to develop two young receivers in Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo. But as a veteran who’s shown he can be a No. 1 receiver, it was worth it for Carolina to trade for Johnson.
The Pirates also added another starting corner in the deal, Donte Jackson. It’s a win-win situation, as they were able to move up a few spots in the draft, but Pittsburgh’s receiver hole opposite George Pickens may be the biggest weakness on the roster right now. Still, moving away from Johnson would be good for the locker room, and it would give Pickens the clear No. 1 wideout on offense.
If Johnson plays well, it could end up being a trade that some Steelers fans lament, but it seems like a fresh start for both teams.
