OTL: What Else is Up EDC’s Sleeve?

The NFL trade talks are now in full swing with the deadline for such moves just under a week away, and Baltimore got themselves involved on Tuesday with the acquisition of WR Diontae Johnson.

The #Ravens gave up only a 5th-round pick and will receive a 6th-round pick back from Carolina in this deal. Carolina is also covering a portion of Diontae Johnson’s contract. https://t.co/UQx77LpZyc

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2024

Giving up extremely little for the proven target (only moving back ~20 spots in the late rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft), paired with paying him the minimum for the rest of the season, it’s difficult to argue with this move. Johnson will be a contributor for the Ravens, and he’s an upgrade on Nelson Agholor as WR3.

Based on this, the Ravens will be paying 10/18ths of the minimum vet salary of $1.125M (=$625K). Johnson had a base salary of $7M with $3.889M still due for the final 10 wks of the season. So, the Panthers are eating $3.264M in the trade. https://t.co/LvfFGpdbyi

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) October 29, 2024

The Ravens’ 5th rounder is currently around #158, and the Panthers’ 6th rounder (first in line) is currently around #177.

So a movement of about 19 spots in order to acquire Diontae Johnson. https://t.co/3bWJz3UQJm

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) October 29, 2024

For starters, Johnson is known for his separation ability, and if you’ll recall from his time in Pittsburgh, he always seemed open.

The #Ravens now have 3 of the best separators in the NFL this year.

They have Lamar Jackson. They have Derrick Henry.

This season is going to live and die on the OL.

Even with the defensive struggles, if the OL can pass protect, they can beat anyone#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/TWDKOb4yrS

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) October 29, 2024

According to ESPN Analytics, no receiver has been more “open” than Johnson since entering the league in 2019.

From 2019 to 2023, Johnson had four of the top fourteen open scores. pic.twitter.com/Gi3mWga4r5

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) October 29, 2024

It never hurts adding guys like this to the squad, and I’m sure Todd Monken and Lamar Jackson are pumped to see how Johnson fits. Perhaps more importantly, when Johnson gets open, he makes plays:

Since 2021, Diontae Johnson’s drop rate (3.5%) was 10th lowest out of all WRs who recorded at least 200 receptions, per PFR.

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) October 29, 2024

We’ve seen drops hurt Baltimore many times in the past, so again, I’ll never complain about bringing in a target with one of the lower drop rates in the league. While he likely won’t supplant Zay Flowers as the #1 receiver in the room, he will be a reliable outlet for Jackson.

Bringing in Johnson, a proven third target that is undoubtedly an improvement on Nelson Agholor in terms of dynamism, also allows the Ravens to spread things out more:

The Ravens have used 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) on just 28.1% of their plays this season, the NFL’s lowest rate.

Diontae Johnson gives them more spread-’em-out flexiblity. That’s where Keaton Mitchell thrived last year — and that’s where Derrick Henry could, too.

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) October 29, 2024

This could open things up tremendously for the running game, as well as the tight ends over the middle. And if that’s not enough, there’s a chance Johnson could contribute in the return game, a facet that’s been uninspiring for the Ravens thus far:

The impetus behind the deal to get Diontae Johnson was improving their WR depth. Ravens have been thin there all year. But Johnson does have some return experience as well and Ravens have gotten nothing from their return game all year. Could be an option to help in that area.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 29, 2024

Time will tell, but if EDC was able to get a proven receiver that becomes the team’s returner for just a slight drop in the Day 3 draft order, I’ll be happy with the move. At the same time, it feels like a more spontaneous trade given the asking price, not one that fills Baltimore’s biggest needs. With fans clamoring for pass rush and secondary help, Tony Lombardi makes a great point about how this trade could have come to be:

Carolina has wanted to unload Dionte Johnson for awhile and this is speculation on my part but they may have said that if you want Clowney you gotta take this guy too. pic.twitter.com/RILlggkJux

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) October 29, 2024

Again, time will tell, but it would make a ton of sense to see Jadveon Clowney return to Baltimore, where he felt rejuvenated and found success. To me, this seems like a perfect match.

One more note about the Johnson trade: the pick the Ravens gave up could easily come back to them in the following draft, thanks to the compensatory formula.

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

Moving along to other potential targets, if we wanted to get especially crazy, much of the Flock is clamoring for Maxx Crosby of Vegas.  Given the cap situation and Las Vegas’ rumored reluctance to part with him, I have doubts about Crosby making his way to Charm City, but that would be a dream.

Doesn’t sound like LV’s interested in trading him, but if so, they’d have to eat a decent amount of $$. Crosby is still due ~$14M. Ravens have ~$3.2M. Still need space for rest of yr. Restructuring LJ8 create $5.8M. Marlon, $4.4M. Andrews, $1.6M. Williams? NFW. That’s about it. https://t.co/msKm4lwtfx

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) October 29, 2024

Similarly, Budda Baker from Arizona would be a dream at Safety. With poor play from multiple guys at the position, it’s become an unexpected need for the Ravens. Baker is a versatile player that the Ravens could move around, but the asking price will likely make this unrealistic:

The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini suggest Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker as a potential trade target for Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/6tHIW9IZZJ

— Ravens Nation ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) October 29, 2024

Other names include Jevon Holland from Miami and Tyrann Mathieu from New Orleans, but one way or another, I expect Baltimore to make a move on the defensive side before Tuesday’s deadline.

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