The Pittsburgh Steelers traded veteran wideout Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday in exchange for defensive back Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Johnson has been a big part of the team's offense in recent seasons and was a solid fantasy option in both 2020 (88 catches for 923 yards and seven scores) and 2021 (107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns), though the past two years he's fallen off in that regard.
So, how will Tuesday's trade impact the team's other potentially fantasy-relevant players, including new quarterback Russell Wilson and wideout George Pickens?
You probably don't want to draft Wilson as a starting option at this point. He finished 14th among quarterbacks in fantasy points last season, posting just three games above 20 fantasy points in standard-scoring leagues. He was even worse in 2022, finishing 16th.
And while the Steelers could add more playmakers this offseason, namely in the draft, he isn't exactly joining an explosive offense.
Mike Clay @MikeClayNFLSteelers WRs (and not sure an Arthur Smith offense will make WR2 a priority):<br><br>George Pickens<br>Calvin Austin III<br>Marquez Callaway<br>Denzel Mims<br>Dez Fitzpatrick<br>Keilahn Harris<br>Duece Watts
Wilson is tough to trust at this point, and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith isn't exactly famous for increasing the fantasy value of his skill-position players. Proceed with caution.
There's a bit more optimism for players like Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth, however.
The former played very well last season when Johnson wasn't available:
Fantasy Life @MBFantasyLifeGeorge Pickens in four games without Diontae Johnson last season:<br><br>4-127-1<br>4-75-0<br>3-25-0<br>6-130-1
Scott Barrett @ScottBarrettDFBFrom Weeks 2-7, while Diontae Johnson was dealing with injury...<br><br>George Pickens ranked:<br><br>+ top-12 in target share<br>+ top-10 in first-read target share<br>+ top-7 in yards per route run<br>+ top-7 in yards per target over expectation<br>+ top-3 in yards after the catch per reception
Moody @EricNMoodyGeorge Pickens walking into the 2024 NFL regular season with Diontae Johnson now with the Carolina Panthers:<br> <a href="">
Michael Fabiano @Michael_FabianoThe fantasy football value of George Pickens… <a href="">
And while its questionable how much Wilson has left in the tank, he's still an upgrade over the team's quarterbacks from last season.
Freiermuth, meanwhile, should get a bump in usage given the overall lack of talent elsewhere in the passing game, though Pittsburgh prioritizing wideout at the draft could change that math.
Andrew Cooper @CoopAFiascoNo one ever says that Pat Freiermuth isn't a good tight end. It's been his situation that is the problem for fantasy football.<br><br>The Diontae Johnson trade + Russell Wilson signing could finally create the conditions we need for the Muth breakout season!
This probably isn't an offense that is going to lead to elite fantasy production. But Pickens could have legitimate WR2 upside next season, while Freiermuth might sneak into the TE1 conversation if his new offensive coordinator doesn't put him in the Kyle Pitts blender.
