Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Atlanta Falcons Urged to Trade For All-Pro Wide Receiver to Complement Drake London

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 3/7/24

The Atlanta Falcons have some ground to make up in the NFC South, but have the young and explosive players on offense capable of making a playoff run in 2024. However, when it comes to upgrading the wide receiver corps opposite Drake London, the ideal trade target might shake loose this offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson has emerged as a name to watch for the Falcons on the trade market.

“Atlanta hired Ike Hilliard as WR coach this offseason and he was Johnson’s position coach early in his career,” Logan Ulrich points out. “With Smith gone, the Falcons need more help to round out their receiving corps alongside WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts”

Johnson has had an up-and-down career with the Steelers, but is coming off a 51-reception for 717 yards and five touchdowns 2023 campaign. However, as George Pickens continues to cut into his target share and the fact that the Steelers seem mired in mediocrity at quarterback, the timing could be right for Pittsburgh to make a move.

What Diontae Johnson Would Bring Atlanta Falcons

In addition to adding a second-option at receiver, opposite London, the Falcons could potentially dictate the quarterback market this offseason.

Whether it is trading for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, signing Kirk Cousins, or pilfering Baker Mayfield in a free-agency coup from the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons will be breaking in a new quarterback in 2024.

As Pro Football Focus points out, Steelers quarterbacks posted a 100.8 passer rating when targeting Johnson in 2023, while the 27-year-old playmaker averaged 5.2 yards after the catch per reception. That kind of field-stretching ability and yards after the catch production really taxes opposing secondaries and would make Johnson a legitimate threat in the Falcons’ crowded cast of skill-position weapons.

What is Diontae Johnson’s Trade Value?

Johnson is entering the final year of his contract, which makes him a prime candidate to be traded.

Slated to count $15.8 million against the cap in 2024, Johnson could prove valuable to teams on the cusp of contending but view themselves as being an offensive weapon or two away from taking the next step.

It’s always difficult to judge how teams across the league view a player, but given Johnson’s age, production, and hefty cap number for the upcoming season, he would likely cost a team like the Falcons somewhere in the area of a fourth-round pick.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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