Diontae Johnson Trade Rumors: Teams on 'High Alert' for Panthers WR Ahead of Deadline

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is reportedly being monitored as a potential trade candidate amid the team's early struggles.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday's episode of SportsCenter that Johnson is being eyed by teams around the league that are hoping to improve their passing attack.

"Teams are at least on high alert here because they believe if the Panthers continue to struggle, they could be in 'seller's mode,'" Fowler said. "Diontae Johnson only 28 years old, $7 million salary, fairly reasonable for a guy who can be your 'Receiver 1', 'Receiver 1A.' Really good player."

Johnson, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in an offseason trade, has played in all four games for the 1-3 Panthers and recorded 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns. However, he overcame a slow start to the year and has shown he can be a dependable No. 1 receiver over the last two weeks after veteran quarterback Andy Dalton replaced Bryce Young as the starter, posting 15 catches on 27 targets for 205 yards and two scores.

Carolina first-year head coach Dave Canales recently told ESPN's David Newton that he views Johnson as a focal point of the team's offense, so it could be difficult for other teams to convince the Panthers to ship him away.

"We have a starting point and it starts with Diontae Johnson,'' Canales said. "When we have a starting point, then coverages, the attention of the defense starts to draw attention, starts to draw focus to a certain part of it. That's what kind of opens up the rest."

However, Johnson is in the final year of his contract, so Carolina's best option could be to trade him and recoup assets to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency. His performance over the last two weeks could also lead the Panthers to commit to him on a long-term deal.

Johnson has proven he can be a difference-maker in the right situation, so teams will be keeping a close eye on how the Panthers choose to handle him before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.