Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Diontae Johnson

Tuesday, March 12, 11:18 AM

Veteran free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki is joining the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million. The 2018 second-round pick has compiled 260 receptions on 415 targets for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns across five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and one season with the New England Patriots. The Bengals have not had an overly productive tight end in the Joe Burrow era, but if receiver Tee Higgins is granted the trade he requested on Monday, Gesicki could become a top-three option in a potent passing game. The Bengals also added tight end Drew Sample in free agency on Monday. At the very least, Gesicki should be in a strong offense with touchdown opportunities in the red zone as a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy.

Tuesday, March 12, 7:35 PM

The Carolina Panthers acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and pick No. 240 overall in this year's NFL draft from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and pick No. 178 overall in this year's draft, according to sources. The move leaves the Steelers dangerously thin at the receiver position, with George Pickens and Calvin Austin III as the team's top two wideouts with Johnson gone. Johnson, 27, finished last year with a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards and five touchdowns. He'll move to a Panthers offense desperately seeking playmakers and should be one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets, other than veteran Adam Thielen. Johnson's chances for a fantasy rebound in 2024 don't look great in Carolina, but perhaps he can develop some nice chemistry with Young and feed off volume.