From a real-life perspective, Diontae Johnson can’t be happier going from a lowly Panthers team at 1-7 to a 5-3 Ravens team in the thick of the playoff hunt. From a fantasy perspective, however, this move jumbles up not only Carolina’s WR room but Baltimore’s, as well. Without Johnson as the primary target earner, veteran WR Adam Thielen is once again notched as the Panthers’ top receiver – and if it’s Bryce Young under quatrerback, that’s not a combination for success. WR Jalen Coker has also made somewhat of a name for himself in recent weeks and could be worth a look as a late-week flier. As for the Ravens, Diontae Johnson likely loses his 27%+ target share upside and fits much more comfortably as a potential low-WR2 play / high-WR3. Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s target leader this season, takes a significant hit to his stock, while WR Rashod Bateman and TE Mark Andrews might not in be the best place anymore to be consistently relevant options from one week to the next moving forward. Given the Ravens’ tendency to run the ball and plenty of target competition, Rashod Bateman’s Cinderella run as a solid flex play is likely over. It may take a week or two, as we’ve seen in Amari Cooper’s case, for Johnson to pick up Baltimore’s offense, but he should settle in as a solid WR3 at the very least with the Ravens in short order.
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