Former general manager praises ‘ridiculous’ WR trade with Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have been very active at the trade deadline over the last few years, and their big move this year already looks like a steal.

Earlier this week, the Ravens acquired former Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2025 fifth-rounder. Johnson, who previously played for the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, returns to the AFC North and will likely be a difference-maker for the team the best attack in the league. It’s hard not to be happy about this trade, considering only the late-round pick swap.

Already, analysts across the league are praising Baltimore for the smart move. Former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi did it The Pat McAfee Programalthough it must be admitted that he criticized the Panthers more harshly than he praised the Ravens.

“But what if they don’t accept it? I mean Pat, bet the over/under, they basically just gave it to them,” Lombardi said. “You know, the fifth-round pick for Baltimore will be somewhere in the 28-29 range in the fifth round, and Carolina’s sixth-round pick will probably be the first pick in the sixth round. It was a really funny trade.

“Here’s what makes this deal even better for the Ravens: They’ll get a compensatory pick if it comes out and someone signs him. Its sum goes to the equalization pool. For example, someone explain to me what Carolina is doing, I don’t understand it.”

It’s no secret that the Panthers are in by far the worst situation of any NFL team. They finished last season with a league-worst 2-15 record and didn’t even acquire the first overall pick, having traded him to the Chicago Bears the year before after the disastrous Bryce Young trade. They are off to a terrible 1-7 start this season and could easily finish with the worst record.

That said, the Ravens still deserve credit for making the deal. Johnson was undoubtedly a hot target heading into next week’s trade deadline, and yet Baltimore endorsed him. If he can help the team climb to the top in the playoffs, this trade will look even better.

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