Source: Ravens trade for Panthers WR Johnson

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the NFL's No. 1 offense have landed a veteran target who can provide another dimension to the passing attack.

The Ravens traded draft picks for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Deonta Johnson on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Ravens will send a fifth-round pick to the Panthers for Johnson and Carolina's sixth-round selection, sources told Schefter.

This is the second time Johnson has been traded. The Panthers acquired Johnson prior to the season from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens' AFC North rival. According to ESPN Research, Johnson will become the third wide receiver since 2000 to catch a pass as a Raven and Steeler, joining Mike Wallace and Myles Boykin.

Johnson indicated to ESPN last month that he would like to re-sign with the Panthers (1-7) after the season. But as losses mounted and frustrations built, it became clear that Johnson was open to moving on.

He was ruled out of Carolina's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday because of a rib injury he sustained the previous week, with coach Dave Canales asked if the decision to sit receiver had anything to do with it. Healthy for trade value.

The Canales defer to general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brand Tillis.

Baltimore could have Johnson spread out the defense more often with Jay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. The Ravens used three or more wide receivers on 163 plays, the second fewest in the NFL.

Jackson is having his best season as a passer, throwing for 2,099 yards, which is No. 5 in the NFL this season. His 9.7 yards per attempt when targeting a wide receiver is third best behind Sam Darnold (10.7) and Jared Goff (9.7).

Where Johnson can help Jackson the most is throwing near the sideline. According to ESPN Research, Ravens wide receivers have combined for 29 catches on passes thrown out of bounds this season, third fewest in the NFL. Since entering the NFL in 2019, Johnson has totaled 242 caught-on passes outside the numbers, sixth-most in the league over that span.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta continued to be very aggressive in upgrading the team during the season. This is DeCosta's fourth in-season trade in the last six seasons. His previous acquisitions include cornerback Marcus Peters (2019), defensive end Yannick Ngaku (2020) and middle linebacker Roquan Smith (2022).

The Panthers traded a sixth-round pick for Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson and Johnson in March and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft.

Johnson was brought in to upgrade quarterback Bryce Young, but they combined for just five receptions for 34 yards during an 0-2 start that led to the benching of 2023 draft pick Andy Dalton.

Johnson caught eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown in Dalton's debut, a win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Had 15 catches for 205 yards in two games but caught just 10 passes for 123 yards over the next three games.

With Johnson gone, Carolina's receiving corps will consist of veteran Adam Thielen, coming off a hamstring injury, first-round pick Xavier Leggett, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore and undrafted rookie Jalen Coker.

ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report.