Diontae Johnson may be the hottest name on the block right now.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers wideout is drawing quite a bit of interest as the league’s trade deadline nears.
Schefter wrote the following about the former Pro Bowl pass catcher on Saturday night:
The Panthers already have received multiple inquiries on Johnson, and sources believe Carolina is seeking a midround draft pick in return for a player who this season, despite playing in a struggling offense, has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Some sources believe it’s only a question of where Johnson winds up before the trade deadline. The Panthers (1-6) play in Denver on Sunday and already have ruled out Johnson because of a rib injury.
Upon officially ruling him out on Friday, head coach Dave Canales was asked if Johnson’s status is related to a possible trade.
“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” he replied. “For me, it’s like, I wanna do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done. And the fact that he couldn’t get back on the field this week, I felt confident about the guys being able to step in there and do it.”
Johnson is slated to become a free agent at season’s end.
He currently leads the Panthers in receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and touchdowns (three).
