The Cleveland Browns are releasing veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson, per Mike Garafolo and Adam Schefter. Johnson joined the Browns earlier in the offseason as the team looked to add more depth to a rather empty room after Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. The move comes after the team had recently signed rookie WR Isiah Bond.
Johnson’s Status Leading into Cutdowns
Johnson’s status with the Browns was murky after training camp. The reports out of camp weren’t glowing, but they weren’t necessarily negative. As a veteran wide receiver, the Browns most likely wanted something a bit more from him as they are in search of more playmakers on offense.
Why the Browns Made the Move
A quiet offseason and a recent signing of a UDFA signalled that the Browns were not as optimistic about Johnson’s future with the team as they had initially hoped. Johnson’s performance in preseason games also left a lot to be desired. A combination of needing to cut down to 53 and Johnson’s middling performance led to his release.
What’s Next for Johnson
This marks the third time Johnson has been outright waived from a team in the past year. There is always interest across the league for a veteran presence in the locker room; however, it looks as though Johnson is unable to bring what teams are looking for to the table. Johnon’s best hope is to join a WR-needy team mid-season.
Fantasy Football Impact
There’s not much impact, as his presence on the roster didn’t move the needle for Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, or Cedric Tillman. This does ensure Bond gets some time on the field, which could be interesting for dynasty players. Otherwise, Johnson’s fantasy relevance will remain very low until we see something different.
