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3 trade destinations for Diontae Johnson if the Steelers won’t pay up

By Sayre Bedinger

Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) carries the ball on an end around against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) carries the ball on an end around against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Pittsburgh Steelers end up trading star wide receiver Diontae Johnson? If they aren’t willing to pay up, that seems to be the smart play.

In today’s NFL, receivers are either getting paid the big bucks or they’re getting traded first.

One way or another, it feels like if a receiver asks for a big-money deal, they’re going to get it more often than not.

Deebo Samuel would disagree, but he’ll eventually be paid in a big way.

Diontae Johnson is one of the next receivers looking to get paid but the Pittsburgh Steelers may not want to pay him $20 million per year.

If the Steelers know they aren’t going to pay Diontae Johnson, the going rate for receivers in his situation is pretty clearly set at the value of a minimum of a first-round pick.

That’ might be too good of value to pass up, but which teams would come calling for Johnson?

Diontae Johnson
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 05: Diontae Johnson #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 05, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Diontae Johnson trade destination no. 1: Indianapolis Colts

One team whose wide receiver corps currently just feels incomplete is the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts have one of the league’s most exciting young receivers in former second-round pick Michael Pittman Jr., who has become this team’s clear WR1.

TY Hilton is no longer on the roster, and frankly, it’s not even really close between Pittman and anyone else.

He racked up over 1,000 yards this past season and I think with Matt Ryan now in the fold, he’s poised to take another huge leap forward.

The Colts used a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Cincinnati’s big, speedy, athletic receiver Alec Pierce.

As of right now, though, the jury is out on Pierce. He was a late riser in the NFL Draft process and he’ll get broken in slowly.

Parris Campbell is the wild card for the Colts at the wide receiver position right now. The team can’t really count on him health-wise and he’s in a contract year anyway.

Adding Diontae Spencer into the fold could instantly legitimize the Colts’ wide receiver room and they have proven in recent years that they are willing to trade draft picks for instant veteran help.

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