Panthers to Feature Diontae Johnson

What They're Saying

"As we build our offense, we really try to feature someone," Canales said. "And for us right now, 'where is Diontae Johnson at?' And we have our progressions, and we're gonna move him around in formation."

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

The Panthers swung a trade this offseason for Johnson, who looks like easily the best WR in a corps rounded out by Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, and rookie Xavier Legette. Few WRs have been better at creating separation. Here's where Johnson has ranked in ESPN's Open Score metric in his five NFL seasons:

• 2019: 2nd out of 131 qualifying WRs
• 2020: 3rd out of 136
• 2021: 4th out of 141
• 2022: 1st out of 131
• 2023: 11th out of 109

Johnson has also been a strong target earner, and we currently project him for a 25.7% target share this season -- a top 15 mark league-wide.

The big question for Johnson's 2024 fantasy outlook is what kind of QB play he'll get from Bryce Young after his ugly rookie season. But if Young can take a step toward league-average play under Canales, Johnson will have no trouble paying off his WR44 ADP.

Other Winners & Losers

With the Panthers planning to feature Johnson, it's tough to get excited about Thielen, Mingo, Legette, or any of Carolina's TEs. This is unlikely to be a passing game that supports a bunch of fantasy-viable pass catchers.