While the Miami Dolphins may have picked up their first win of the season, it came at quite a cost. Star WR Tyreek Hill suffered a pair of major injuries, and the team has already ruled him out for the rest of the season.
His gruesome injury took center stage on Monday Night Football, as fans continued to discuss the ramifications of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa navigating without the team’s top receiver.
Can Miami Dolphins Replace WR Tyreek Hill With Diontae Johnson?
No one will truly be able to replace Hill, but Diontae Johnson possesses many qualities that make him an intriguing option for the team. PFSN’s Alex Kennedy broke down four potential options for the Dolphins to go out and get, with Johnson being one of them. Johnson, currently a free agent, played for three teams in 2024.
Johnson played 12 games in the 2024 season. After spending his first five seasons in Pittsburgh, the Steelers decided to move on. He began the year in Carolina before playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. He has 28 career touchdowns, with three coming in his seven games with the Panthers last year.
“Diontae Johnson has had his share of off-the-field issues in recent years, but he is undoubtedly the most talented wide receiver available for the Dolphins,” Kennedy wrote. “With Hill out, the Dolphins could be willing to overlook his past and give him a chance. If Miami can get anything close to the Johnson who starred for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he could be an excellent addition,” he added.
Ultimately, his numbers in 2024 left a lot to be desired. While he looked alright on the Panthers, he had just six receiving yards in four games with the Ravens. Baltimore clearly never took him seriously, as he had double the number of receptions and yards in three fewer games with the Texans. Houston didn’t think much of him either, as they decided not to bring him back for the 2025 season.
As it stands, Tagovailoa is 13th in PFSN’s QB Impact with a C+ grade. Together, the Dolphins’ offense is ranked 15th as they share the same grade (C+) as Tagovailoa. Johnson’s highest grade was a B- in both 2021 and 2023.
In 2023, Johnson had 51 receptions in 13 games. He finished with 717 yards and five touchdowns. Remember, he didn’t have a touchdown in any of his 86 receptions the year prior. With 20 touchdowns in his first three seasons, the Dolphins could take a chance on the 2019 No. 66 overall pick.
