Who Should I Start? Diontae Johnson or Van Jefferson

Tuesday, May 6, 1:15 PM

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson's one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns is for the veteran's minimum of $1.17 million and doesn't include any guaranteed money, according to ESPN's Field Yates. It's essentially a zero-risk deal for the Browns, while Johnson will be hoping to re-establish his value at just 28 years old. The former third-round pick (66th overall) of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 out of Toledo was traded to the Carolina Panthers last offseason. He caught 30 of 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven starts before then being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson was not a good fit there and only caught one of five targets for six yards before being cut. He then latched on with the Houston Texans and caught two of four targets for 12 yards in one game. Johnson has an opportunity in Cleveland alongside Jerry Jeudy, but his volatility and the Browns' QB situation makes him unattractive in most fantasy leagues.

Wednesday, March 12, 10:03 AM

The Tennessee Titans are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported the news. The former Florida Gator spent one season in Pittsburgh, accumulating just 24 receptions, 276 yards, and two touchdowns in 17 games. Jefferson played the second-most snaps of all Steelers wideouts with 755 (George Pickens). The 28-year-old has eclipsed 370 receiving yards only once in his career (in 2022 with the Rams) but figures to slot in as the team's second WR behind incumbent primary option Calvin Ridley. He'll now vie for targets with fellow wideouts Tyler Boyd and Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. Jefferson regularly disappeared last season, recording one catch or fewer in nine appearances, and will be difficult to trust as a viable fantasy option in 2025 despite the change of scenery.