RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Start In All PPR Leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: Low-end WR2
ANALYSIS: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has disappointed massively to start 2024, but it's not his fault. Nobody was capable of producing in an offense led by Bryce Young. After the worst rookie season for a QB of all time, Young was set for the worst second season ever before he was benched.
Johnson was the WR8 in PPR in 2021 and has dealt with some of the worst QB play in the league since then. Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky were all terrible for Johnson, and the blame for Johnson's lack of production lies squarely on their shoulders.
It's almost impossible to cover Diontae Johnson 1-on-1.
A big reason for that is he's mastered manipulating leverage at the top of his route.
His simple inside stems before breaking out turn defensive backs around constantly. Got two Panthers on the same drive Sunday. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/SC1e6r4i4Q
— Tyler Wise (@TriggeredWise) December 20, 2022
Johnson is a magnificent separator. This is crucial for PPR formats, as consistent separation leads to tons of easy targets, and at worst, short-yardage gains. He could flirt with 10+ targets per game with Andy Dalton under center. Dalton propelled Adam Thielen to explode for 31.5 PPR fantasy points in Week 3 of 2023.
Johnson was brought in to be the clear No. 1 receiver for 2024. Thielen is 34 years old and has significantly declined in speed and separation ability in recent years. Expect Dalton to look Johnson's way early and often as the starter.
Johnson and Dalton may take some time to get on the same page, but the upside is massive, and while it's a bit speculative to rank him as a WR2, the potential for "PPR-Scam" upside for Johnson is too high.
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