ESPN's Seth Walder: “Grade for the Ravens: A. Another contender secured another wide receiver via trade – and that is my favorite deal so far. The Ravens paid next to nothing to acquire a quality player who can help them achieve their Super Bowl goal. In Johnson.”, the Ravens have a high-end route runner who can create open windows for quarterback Lamar Jackson… Given the price, it's a home run that the Ravens are likely in the back half of the fifth round and the Panthers at the top will be a sixth-round pick is worth the equivalent of a seventh-round pick in ESPN's draft pick ratings (and that's probably being generous). According to The Athletic, the Panthers have also opted to take on the majority of Johnson's remaining salary for the year, resulting in a deal that borders on the absurd.

CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin: “Grade: A. To be honest, the fit couldn't be better. Johnson is best when playing with other weapons, and his route running should complement the speed of Zay Flowers and the power of Derrick Henry. His arrival also means less of a burden on other wideouts like Rashod Bateman…This is a classic low-risk, high-reward swing, and the Ravens can reevaluate Johnson's value in the offseason.”

USA Today's Nate Davis: “Winners: Ravens and DeCosta. They add another weapon to what is probably the most dangerous and multi-pronged offense in the league, Ozzie Newsome. DeCosta snagged Johnson for less than a song, making him the latest significant addition to what has become a tradition in Baltimore over the years – notable players include LB Roquan Smith, CB Marcus Peters, OLB Yannick Ngakoue and LT Eugene Monroe who joined the Ravens in the middle of a season.”

Zrebiec: “If the Ravens (5-3) and Panthers (1-7) continue on their current trajectory, the difference between fifth- and sixth-round picks could be significantly less than 20 spots midway through Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft: For That low price and a modest salary that won't have a significant impact on the team's strained salary cap, the Ravens get a wide receiver who can get open, make big plays and potentially help in a return game that's been like this all year almost didn't exist.

The Baltimore Sun's Child Hiker: “This was not the move we expected from a team that already leads the league in passing efficiency. The Ravens need players who can break up deep balls more than they need another guy who can catch them. Still, Johnson has been a perennial, productive receiver during his six-year career, and he will give Lamar Jackson another target who can punish blitzes and make plays in the red zone. The Ravens didn't give up much to get him, and better yet, they kept Johnson away from AFC rivals who might immediately sign him as a starter.

Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner: “If the first two months of the season hadn't already confirmed it, the Ravens' trade Tuesday for wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers left no doubt: This is the most talented group of position players quarterback Lamar Jackson has ever had.” Johnson, who led the Panthers in every major receiving category (30 catches, 357 yards and three touchdowns), can't fix a beleaguered Ravens defense, but he can give a boost to a high-powered offense that's already among the league's most efficient and explosive Add dimension.”