Diontae Johnson
27-Year-Old
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
51
YDS
717
TD
5
AVG
14.1
TAR
87
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Johnson is off to Carolina to help resurrect 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young, following a five-year stint in Pittsburgh that was mostly marked by tons of volume and bottom-of-the-barrel efficiency. Neither big (5-10, 183), nor fast (4.53 40), the 2019 third-round pick nonetheless was quick to make an impression in Pittsburgh, using his impressive agility and acceleration to get open on short routes and pick up yards after the catch. Johnson led the team in targets each of his first four seasons, with 92 as a rookie (59-680-5) and then more than 140 each of the next three years (88-923-7 / 107-1,161-8 / 86/882/0). His disastrous efficiency in 2022 (6.0 YPT, zero TDs on 147 targets) was followed by lesser volume and improved efficiency in 2023 (8.2 YPT, five TDs on 87 targets in 13 games), making it a bounce-back season of sorts even if Johnson didn't help fantasy managers. The look of Carolina's roster heading into the 2024 Draft gives Johnson a chance to get back to the type of volume that all but ensures fantasy relevance, albeit in an offense that may be just as bad as what he dealt with in Pittsburgh (or even worse). The Panthers don't have a TE with any significant track record as a pass catcher, and their only WR that's ever made fantasy noise is Adam Thielen, who put up huge numbers over the first eight weeks last year but then averaged just 43.3 yards over the final nine game (and now will turn 34 in August). It seems the team is heavily counting on Johnson, which didn't really work out for the Steelers but did lead to the one big fantasy year in 2021. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Dealt to Carolina
The Steelers are slated to trade Johnson to the Panthers in exchange for Donte Jackson and a pick swap, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Johnson had a relatively disappointing 2023 season as the No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, as he finished with a career-low 51 receptions to go along with 717 yards through the air and five touchdowns. After spending his first five seasons with the Steelers, the 27-year-old will compete with Adam Thielen for the No. 1 pass catching role in Carolina and look to build a rapport with Bryce Young.
Johnson had a relatively disappointing 2023 season as the No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, as he finished with a career-low 51 receptions to go along with 717 yards through the air and five touchdowns. After spending his first five seasons with the Steelers, the 27-year-old will compete with Adam Thielen for the No. 1 pass catching role in Carolina and look to build a rapport with Bryce Young.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Diontae Johnson's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
82.3Air Yards Per Snap
1.91% Team Air Yards
29.8%% Team Targets
18.1%Avg Depth of Target
12.3 YdsCatch Rate
58.6%Drop Rate
2.3%Avg Yds After Catch
5.2% Targeted On Route
21.8%Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.79Loading Advanced NFL Stats...
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Diontae Johnson lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
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Side
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2023 Diontae Johnson Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do Diontae Johnson's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"Weight
183 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.53 secShuttle Time
4.45 secCone Drill
7.09 secVertical Jump
33.5 inBroad Jump
123 inBench Press
15 repsHand Length
9.00 inArm Length
30.75 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Potential target for Jets
Rich Cimini of ESPN.com lists Johnson as a potential trade candidate for the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Johnson has one year left on his contract worth $10 million, which would make him an easier piece for the Steelers to move on the trade market. He had a shaky 2023 season, as he registered a career-low 51 catches, though he did miss four games early in the year due to a hamstring injury. The Jets' wide receiver corps lacks talent beyond 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, so the addition of a veteran like Johnson could help to open up the passing game for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Johnson has one year left on his contract worth $10 million, which would make him an easier piece for the Steelers to move on the trade market. He had a shaky 2023 season, as he registered a career-low 51 catches, though he did miss four games early in the year due to a hamstring injury. The Jets' wide receiver corps lacks talent beyond 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, so the addition of a veteran like Johnson could help to open up the passing game for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Johnson set a new standard for the high-volume, low-efficiency receiving season last year, finishing with 86 catches for 882 yards and nary a touchdown on 147 targets. Even in an offense with miserable quarterback play, it's the type of performance that leads to serious concern about his future (including the workload). Johnson has always been elusive and tricky to tackle, but drops have been a recurring theme and he's neither big (5-10, 183) nor fast (4.53 40) by NFL standards. On the other hand, he was an extremely productive fantasy player as recently as 2021 (107-1,161-8) and the Steelers only have WR George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth as serious target competition. Should second-year QB Kenny Pickett improve, Johnson would presumably be one of the prime beneficiaries even if the target volume takes a necessary step back.
More Fantasy News
Finds end zone in playoff loss
Johnson secured four of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' 31-17 wild-card loss to the Bills on Monday afternoon.
ANALYSIS
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Long touchdown catch
Johnson recorded four receptions on five targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 17-10 win over the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Loses out to Pickens again
Johnson recorded four catches on four targets for 76 yards in Sunday's 30-23 win over Seattle.
ANALYSIS
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Minimal chemistry with Rudolph
Johnson caught two of five targets for 15 yards in Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
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Good production in loss
Johnson recorded four catches on six targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 30-13 loss to the Colts.
ANALYSIS
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