Saints Rival trades top players ahead of Week 9 clash

The Carolina Panthers are trading top wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a sixth-round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-round draft pick in next year's draft. This was first reported Tuesday by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Carolina hosts the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.

Johnson was Carolina's leading receiver after eight games. He had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. This was Johnson's first season with the Panthers following an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson.

This was just the most recent instance of Carolina selling its players during the season. In recent years, the Panthers have also replaced stars like RB Christian McCaffrey and WR DJ Moore. With a score of 1-7, Carolina hosts the Saints with a score of 2-6 this Sunday.

New Orleans has already beaten the Panthers once this year, defeating them 47-10 in the opening week. In this game, Diontae Johnson was targeted six times. He caught just two of those passes for 19 yards.

Without Johnson, a 29th-ranked Panthers offense looks even worse. Carolina has promising WR Xavier Legette, who caught four balls for 35 yards in the opener against the Saints. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen remains on injured reserve, so the Panthers currently only have Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker and David Moore at the position.

Additionally, the Panthers also have quarterback questions for a 30th-ranked passing attack. Bryce Young started the season completing just 13 of 30 yards for 161 yards with two interceptions and four sacks against the Saints.

Young was substituted after the second game in favor of veteran and former Saint Andy Dalton. After Dalton and his family were in a car accident last week, Young was back at it. It's unclear who will get the nod against New Orleans.

The Saints enter Week 9 ranked last in total defense. They rank 28th against the pass and run. Carolina ranks 32nd in rushing production. In three games against the Saints, Young completed just 48.5% of his throws for an average of 150 yards per game with one touchdown and two interceptions while being sacked 12 times.

New Orleans is already without cornerback Paulson Adebo (leg) for the remainder of the year. Star corner Marshon Lattimore is also a major concern after suffering a serious hamstring injury in last week's loss to the Chargers, the team's sixth straight loss.