Diontae Johnson’s Future with the Baltimore Ravens: A Tough Reality

Diontae Johnson of the Baltimore Ravens: Hold or Drop?

Why Johnson Has Struggled

The Ravens offense has thrived without significant contributions from Johnson, and comments from the offensive coordinator suggest his role will remain minimal:

• Crowded Receiving Corps: With Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Rashod Bateman commanding targets, there’s little room for Johnson to make an impact.
• In-Season Adjustment: Joining a new team midseason is challenging, and Johnson hasn’t found his footing in Baltimore’s scheme.
• Coaching Indifference: Public comments from both the Ravens’ offensive coordinator and head coach Mike Tomlin (from Johnson’s former team) imply limited expectations for his role.

Fantasy Take

Johnson is a drop in all formats unless you’re in a very deep league or can afford to stash him for a potential late-season surge. The chances of him becoming a focal point in Baltimore’s offense are slim.

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This Week’s Matchup: Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

The Ravens face the Browns in a divisional clash, a game where Baltimore is likely to lean on its stars.

Fantasy Recommendation

Johnson is unplayable this week. Even if the Ravens are forced to pass more against a stout Cleveland defense, the targets will almost certainly flow to Flowers, Andrews, and Bateman.

DFS Angle

Avoid Johnson in DFS. His lack of involvement makes him a non-factor, even as a dart throw in tournaments. Instead, consider Flowers or Andrews for lineups, as both have the potential for big games.

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Betting Insights: Can the Ravens Offense Thrive Without Johnson?

Betting Lines

• Spread: Ravens -3.5
• Total Points: 42.5

The Ravens are slight favorites in what should be a hard-fought, low-scoring game.

Player Props to Consider

• Johnson Under 1.5 Receptions: Johnson’s minimal role makes this a safe bet.
• Flowers Over 65.5 Receiving Yards: Flowers has been the go-to receiver in Baltimore’s offense and should continue to see significant opportunities.
• Andrews Anytime Touchdown Scorer: Andrews remains Lamar Jackson’s favorite red-zone target, making this a solid prop bet.

Game Bet

• Bet on Ravens -3.5. Baltimore’s well-rounded roster and home-field advantage give them the edge in this matchup.

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Rest-of-Season Outlook for Johnson

Limited Upside

Johnson’s best-case scenario is becoming a situational contributor in the Ravens offense. However, the presence of established playmakers and the team’s run-heavy approach limit his fantasy ceiling.

Potential to Re-Emerge?

If injuries strike Baltimore’s receiving corps, Johnson could see an uptick in usage. However, banking on this is speculative at best, and fantasy managers would be better served focusing on more consistent options.

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Final Thoughts: Time to Move On

Johnson’s move to Baltimore has been a bust for fantasy purposes. Despite his talent, the lack of opportunities in a crowded Ravens offense makes him an easy drop in all but the deepest leagues.

• Fantasy Advice: Drop Johnson. His path to relevance is murky, and there are likely more productive players available on waivers.
• Betting Advice: Fade Johnson’s props and target more reliable Ravens stars like Flowers and Andrews.

Sometimes, even proven players like Johnson fail to adapt to a new environment. Fantasy football is about adaptation, and it’s time for managers to pivot to more productive options.

You can read all about what’s going on in the National Football League at SportsGrid.com.