A guy that was rumored to be a potential addition to the Arizona Cardinals was engaged in the most recent NFL transaction. According to Adam Schefter, wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been dealt by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Carolina Panthers. The Steelers are exchanging draft picks for cornerback Donte Jackson. The Panthers have given quarterback Bryce Young another weapon with this acquisition; he was severely lacking in one previous season, and as of right now, it appears to be a flop.
The Cardinals were mentioned as a team that might consider trade for Johnson just a few days ago.93.7’s Andrew Fillipponi Pittsburgh’s The Fan discussed potential trades the Cardinals could make, notably for a third-round pick.
Regardless of what happens in the NFL draft, the Cardinals may make a trade, specifically sending Johnson a third-round selection to give quarterback Kyler Murray a weapon outside.
Johnson still has a lot to prove at the age of 27, especially after his output declined over the previous two seasons. Johnson has only scored five touchdowns in the last two years and is still well short of 900 receiving yards since his 1,000+ receiving yard season in 2021. Johnson will only play for the Panthers for one season before entering the second year of a two-year contract extension he earned from the Steelers, assuming the Panthers are unable to extend Johnson.
The Cardinals are not allowed to trade draft selections for players who have already shown their worth.
Draft selections cannot be traded by the Cardinals unless they are for proven players who have achieved recent success. Rather than dealing for Johnson, it would be preferable to acquire someone like Tee Higgins, who is eager to leave Cincinnati and has more upside at this time than Johnson has. Although selling away draft capital for Johnson might not have been the wisest course of action for Arizona, it is possible that the Cardinals are not in the business of trading for receivers.
Not because Johnson isn’t talented, mind you; the Cardinals
