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    50 Facts About Diontae Johnson

    Nita Giffin

    Written by Nita Giffin

    Modified & Updated: 28 Feb 2025

    Expert Verified Editorial Guidelines
    50-facts-about-diontae-johnson
    Source: Cbssports.com

    Who is Diontae Johnson? Diontae Lamarcus Johnson, born on July 5, 1996, in Ruskin, Florida, is a standout wide receiver in the NFL. Known for his agility and exceptional punt return skills, Johnson's journey from high school football at Earl J. Lennard High School to the professional stage is inspiring. He played college football at the University of Toledo, where he racked up impressive stats. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, he has also played for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens. Now with the Houston Texans, Johnson continues to make waves with his dynamic play and dedication to the game.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Diontae Johnson's journey from high school standout to NFL star showcases his dedication and passion for football, earning him accolades and a significant impact on the teams he plays for.
    • Johnson's impressive stats, punt return skills, and impact on the Carolina Panthers highlight his versatility and potential to elevate the performance of his teammates, including quarterback Bryce Young.
    Table of Contents
    01Early Life and Education
    02College Career
    03NFL Draft and Early Professional Career
    04Physical Attributes and Combine Performance
    05Career Statistics and Achievements
    06Contract and Trades
    07Performance and Injuries
    08Impact on Teams
    09Career Highs and Postseason Performance
    10College Statistics and NFL Combine Ranking
    11Route Participation and Target Share
    12Deep Ball Usage and Air Yards Share
    13Yards After Catch and Fantasy Points
    14Snap Share and Target Separation
    15Punt Return Average and Catchable Target Rate
    16Drops and Hog Rate
    17Route Participation and Targets in 2022
    18Performance in 2023 and Trade Impact
    19Role in Carolina and Impact on Bryce Young
    20High School Achievements and Community Involvement
    21Diontae Johnson's Impact and Future

    Early Life and Education

    Diontae Johnson's journey to the NFL began in Ruskin, Florida, where he developed his passion for football.

    1. 01Diontae Lamarcus Johnson was born on July 5, 1996, in Ruskin, Florida.
    2. 02He attended Earl J. Lennard High School, where he played high school football and honed his skills.

    College Career

    Johnson's college years at the University of Toledo were marked by impressive performances and statistics.

    1. 03Johnson played college football for the University of Toledo.
    2. 04He compiled 135 receptions for 2,235 yards and 23 touchdowns during his college career.
    3. 05His performance ranked him No. 10 all-time in receiving yards for the Rockets.

    NFL Draft and Early Professional Career

    Johnson's transition to the NFL was a significant milestone, beginning with his selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

    1. 06The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Johnson in the third round (66th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
    2. 07He began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
    3. 08Johnson has also played for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.

    Physical Attributes and Combine Performance

    Johnson's physical stats and combine performance played a crucial role in his NFL draft selection.

    1. 09Johnson stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.79 meters) and weighs 183 pounds (83 kilograms).
    2. 10At the NFL Combine, he recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds.
    3. 11His arm length is 30.75 inches, and his hand span is 9 inches.

    Career Statistics and Achievements

    Throughout his career, Johnson has accumulated impressive stats and earned several accolades.

    1. 12As of the end of the 2023 season, Johnson has 391 receptions for 4,497 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.
    2. 13He is recognized for his exceptional punt return skills.
    3. 14Johnson earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 14 of the 2019 season.
    4. 15In January 2020, he was named to the NFL All-Pro Second Team as a punt return specialist.
    5. 16After the AFC Championship game in 2021, Johnson was selected to his first Pro Bowl, replacing Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

    Contract and Trades

    Johnson's career has seen significant contract extensions and trades, reflecting his value in the NFL.

    1. 17On August 4, 2022, Johnson signed a two-year, $36.71 million contract extension with the Steelers, including $27 million guaranteed.
    2. 18In March 2024, the Steelers traded Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and the 178th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

    Performance and Injuries

    Johnson's performance on the field has been notable, despite facing various injuries.

    1. 19Despite missing four games due to injury, Johnson finished the 2023 season with 51 receptions for 717 yards and five touchdowns.
    2. 20He has faced various injuries throughout his career, including a hamstring injury in the 2023 season that kept him out for at least a month.

    Impact on Teams

    Johnson's presence has significantly impacted the teams he has played for, particularly the Panthers.

    1. 21After being traded to the Panthers, Johnson quickly became a key player.
    2. 22He led the team in receiving through seven games with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
    3. 23In Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Johnson recorded eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in a 36–22 victory.
    4. 24Johnson did not play in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos due to an oblique injury.

    Career Highs and Postseason Performance

    Johnson has set multiple career highs and has been a consistent performer in the postseason.

    1. 25Johnson set a career high for most receptions in a season without a touchdown (86 receptions in 2022).
    2. 26In his postseason career, Johnson has played three games, recording 20 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

    College Statistics and NFL Combine Ranking

    Johnson's college statistics and NFL Combine performance highlight his potential and skills.

    1. 27During his time at the University of Toledo, Johnson was a productive return specialist.
    2. 28He had 1,826 yards and a touchdown on 78 kickoffs and another 343 yards and a touchdown on 17 punt returns.
    3. 29Johnson's 40-yard dash time ranked him at the 57th percentile at the NFL Combine.
    4. 30His Speed Score ranked him at the 20th percentile.

    Route Participation and Target Share

    Johnson's involvement in his team's offense is evident through his route participation and target share.

    1. 31In 2021, Johnson led all wide receivers with a 98.2% route participation rate.
    2. 32He has consistently commanded a high target share throughout his career, including a 28.5% target share in 2021.

    Deep Ball Usage and Air Yards Share

    Johnson's ability to handle deep balls and his significant air yards share demonstrate his versatility.

    1. 33In 2021, Johnson saw 24 deep balls, ranking him No.13 among receivers in deep ball usage.
    2. 34He also had a significant air yards share in 2021, ranking No.15 with a 35% air yards share.

    Yards After Catch and Fantasy Points

    Johnson's yards after catch (YAC) and fantasy points per game reflect his impact on the field.

    1. 35Johnson has been among the league leaders in YAC, with 502 yards after catch in 2021.
    2. 36Despite his high production, Johnson's fantasy points per game have varied, reaching as low as 10.6 in 2022.

    Snap Share and Target Separation

    Johnson's snap share and target separation highlight his involvement and effectiveness in games.

    1. 37In his rookie season, Johnson played 66.9% of the Steelers' snaps, increasing to 70.1% in 2020.
    2. 38Johnson led all wide receivers with 2.39 yards of target separation in his rookie season.

    Punt Return Average and Catchable Target Rate

    Johnson's punt return average and catchable target rate showcase his special teams' skills and areas for improvement.

    1. 39Johnson led the NFL with an average of 12.4 yards per punt return in his rookie season.
    2. 40Despite his high production, Johnson has struggled with drops, having a catchable target rate of just 75% in 2020, ranking No.66 among wide receivers.

    Drops and Hog Rate

    Johnson's drops and hog rate provide insight into his receiving performance and target frequency.

    1. 41Johnson has committed multiple drops throughout his career, including nine drops in 2021, ranking No.11 among receivers.
    2. 42His hog rate, which measures how often he is targeted, has been consistently high, reaching a 20.7% hog rate in 2020.

    Route Participation and Targets in 2022

    Johnson's elite target earning ability remained evident in 2022, despite a decrease in production.

    1. 43Johnson maintained a 98.1% route participation rate in 2022.
    2. 44He commanded 147 targets in 2022, ranking No.6 among all receivers.

    Performance in 2023 and Trade Impact

    Johnson's performance in 2023 and his trade to the Panthers provided new opportunities and challenges.

    1. 45While Johnson remained an elite target earner in 2023, the Pittsburgh offense struggled to generate much traction.
    2. 46The trade to the Panthers provided Johnson with a fresh start and an opportunity to pair with second-year quarterback Bryce Young.

    Role in Carolina and Impact on Bryce Young

    Johnson's role in Carolina and his potential impact on Bryce Young highlight his importance to the team.

    1. 47Given the lack of depth at wide receiver in Carolina, Johnson is expected to play a significant role right away.
    2. 48Johnson's presence in Carolina could help elevate Bryce Young's performance, as the two players can develop strong chemistry on the field.

    High School Achievements and Community Involvement

    Johnson's high school achievements and community involvement reflect his dedication both on and off the field.

    1. 49At Earl J. Lennard High School, Johnson was a standout player, contributing to the school's football team.
    2. 50Diontae Johnson is involved in various community activities, including charity work and youth football camps, giving back to his community.

    Diontae Johnson's Impact and Future

    Diontae Johnson's journey from high school football in Ruskin, Florida, to becoming a standout wide receiver in the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. His college career at the University of Toledo showcased his talent, leading to his selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Johnson's versatility as a receiver and punt return specialist earned him accolades, including a Pro Bowl selection and an NFL All-Pro Second Team nod.

    Despite facing injuries and team changes, Johnson's resilience and skill have kept him at the forefront of the league. His recent trade to the Carolina Panthers offers a fresh start and a chance to shine alongside quarterback Bryce Young. With his proven track record and work ethic, Johnson's future in the NFL looks promising. Fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate his continued success and contributions to the game.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What college did Diontae Johnson attend before joining the NFL?
    Diontae Johnson honed his skills at the University of Toledo. There, he showcased his talent as a wide receiver, catching the eyes of scouts and fans alike with his impressive plays on the field.
    How did Diontae Johnson get drafted into the NFL?
    His journey to the NFL began when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. His standout performances at Toledo and during the pre-draft workouts made him a desirable pick for the team.
    What position does Diontae Johnson play?
    He shines as a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this role, he's known for his quick moves and ability to evade defenders, making him a key target for his quarterbacks.
    Can Diontae Johnson return kicks or punts?
    Absolutely! Besides his duties as a wide receiver, he's also made a name for himself as a punt returner. His agility and speed come in handy, allowing him to navigate through opposing teams' special teams units.
    What are some of Diontae Johnson's notable achievements in the NFL?
    Since joining the league, he's racked up several impressive feats, including reaching 1,000 receiving yards in a season and being named to the Pro Bowl. His work ethic and talent have not gone unnoticed.
    How does Diontae Johnson's performance compare to other wide receivers in the league?
    Johnson stands out for his route-running skills and hands, making him one of the more reliable receivers. While comparisons can be tricky due to different team strategies and quarterback dynamics, his stats and highlight reels speak volumes about his capabilities.
    What's Diontae Johnson's impact off the field?
    Off the field, he's known for his community involvement and charitable efforts. Whether it's hosting youth football camps or participating in charity events, he's committed to making a positive impact in the communities he's part of.
    Is Diontae Johnson active on social media?
    Yes, he's quite active on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he shares glimpses of his life on and off the field. Fans can follow him to stay updated on his latest news and endeavors.

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