Ravens claim wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers

Dontae Johnson (Google Images)

It has been a very complicated week for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson of Tampa, Florida. First he was put on waivers by the Houston Texans on Tuesday, even though the Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 on Saturday and are still in the National Football League playoffs. Then on Wednesday, according to Michael Daniel Smith of NBC Sports, the Ravens claimed Johnson off waivers.

However, there is a twist here. That is because Johnson is ineligible to play for the Ravens the rest of the postseason. He is a free agent in March, and it is unlikely Johnson will be part of the Ravens training camp next season. So, why on Earth did the Ravens even make this transaction? Well, the answer is simple. If NFL teams lose more players than they sign in free agency, they are eligible for late round compensatory draft picks the following season. We all know that NFL teams love draft picks, no matter what round they come.

This signing is bizarre because Johnson was acquired earlier this season by the Ravens in a trade with the Carolina Panthers. There was also a draft pick swap in the transaction as the Panthers got a fifth round pick and the Ravens got a sixth round pick.

However, Johnson only had one catch for six yards in four games with the Ravens before being waived on December 20 by Baltimore. He was then claimed by Houston off waivers on December 23. While with the Texans, Johnson had three catches for 24 receiving yards in two games.

Why Johnson has played for three teams this past season is a head scratcher too. The talent is there. We are talking about a Pro Bowler with the Steelers in 2021. There must be more to the story why Johnson has bounced around four times in the last year.

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