Stefon Diggs‘ injury did not prompt the Texans to act at wide receiver. Tank Dell‘s will. The AFC South champions are adding to their receiver room, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting they have claimed Diontae Johnson.
This will be Johnson’s second revenge game in two months, but the Houston fit also suddenly proves vital for the veteran wide receiver’s long-term value. Johnson’s refusal to enter the Ravens’ Week 13 game brought a suspension, and the AFC North team did not bring the trade acquisition back for Week 15. The parties officially separated late last week, sending Johnson to waivers.
At this point, Johnson is a rather volatile investment. He sought exits from Pittsburgh and Carolina this year, seeing both teams move on. While backup-level players have journeyed to four teams in one year before, it is quite rare for a player of Johnson’s caliber to do so. How Johnson fares in Houston will help shape his 2025 free agent market, which has likely taken a substantial hit after the events of this year.
Beyond Johnson’s recent issues, he has been one of this decade’s best at creating separation. The former third-round pick ranked in the top four in ESPN’s Open Score metric each year from 2019-22, leading the league twice in that span. Johnson was among the league’s top target-commanding wideouts during his time in Pittsburgh, drawing at least 140 looks from 2020-22. Delivering his only 1,000-yard season during Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2021 finale, Johnson eventually wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. But he has shown an ability to create space; that will be important for a Texans team that has lost two of its top three receivers.
The Texans’ Christmas Day game against the Ravens will be rather interesting now, as Johnson will see a team he recently clashed with immediately after being claimed. It may not be a lock Johnson plays, but with the Texans so shorthanded post-Diggs and Dell, he may have a limited role.
Tertiary status played a central role in Johnson’s Baltimore exit; the sixth-year receiver was believed to be dissatisfied playing behind the Ravens’ Zay Flowers–Rashod Bateman–Nelson Agholor trio. But Baltimore did not move the trade pickup into its top three; Johnson maxed out at 17 snaps in a game as a Raven. After an extended break post-Christmas, Johnson may see an expanded opportunity in Houston, as the Texans will need a proven pass catcher to complement Nico Collins as they prepare for a home playoff game.
It will be interesting to learn if any other teams claimed Johnson. The Chargers and Chiefs came up as potential landing spots via a claim. Houston was comfortably ahead of Kansas City for priority and this will prevent the two-time reigning champions from further adding to their wideout room. Though, Marquise Brown‘s return does give the Chiefs a nearly full depth chart, with DeAndre Hopkins having replaced Rashee Rice.
The Steelers have been lacking at receiver during George Pickens‘ hamstring-driven absence. The team that initially moved on from Johnson this year was not expected to make an effort to reacquire him, per veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly. Pittsburgh has Mike Williams and Calvin Austin in place as Pickens complementary options, and the team’s top weapon is expected back to face the Chiefs on Christmas.
Johnson could make his Texans debut shortly after that Chiefs-Steelers game wraps, and while he did only catch one pass as a Raven, it is notable he played a regular role with the Panthers this season. Although he fell out of favor in Charlotte, Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the Panthers. The NFC South team moved on from him for a surprisingly cheap return — a pick-swap deal involving fifth- and sixth-round choices — and agreed to pay much of the salary. As a result, the Texans are adding Johnson for next to nothing.
This will help a Texans team in the same predicament as 2023’s squad, as Dell has suffered a season-ending injury for the second straight year. Houston has the likes of Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson as fill-in options. While Woods is a more decorated receiver, he is also 32. Johnson is 28 and will be playing to improve his 2025 market.
Though, this claim gives the Texans exclusive negotiating rights with Johnson until March 10. With Diggs a free agent-to-be and Dell set to rehab two significant injuries (ACL tear, dislocated kneecap), how Johnson performs as a Texan may influence the organization’s thinking at receiver.
If he is smart he will be on his best behavior. There will be targets available and a chance to slightly rehab his image in a couple games (likely won’t do mich on 12/25 but guessing will be in the final week and at least the WC round).
If he were smart, he wouldn’t be in this spot to begin with.
Well that just makes sense.
Behave bro. With Diggs and Dell gone you can become WR3B behind Collins woods and metchie
Johnson’s better than woods and metchie
They know the offense better is what I mean. Of course he can become WR2 if he’s serious
WR 2. Johnson offers a lot more upside than Woods and Metchie at this point if he’s locked in.
The man’s a mess. It’s incredible he’s getting another opportunity. I can’t believe the Texans will risk it with this “I burger with Me sauce”
Best of luck to the Texans on keeping Johnson in line.
Managed to keep Diggs in line just fine.
I’m sure one of the first conversations Ryans and Caserio had with him were “want to work for veteran minimum rest of your career or work on practice squads?”
That makes sense.
Good for DJ. Hopefully Houston actually gives him a chance unlike Baltimore who mistreated him and didn’t give him a shot. DJ has plenty of talent and this is a good opportunity for him.
I am sorry, but no. It is well seen that Johnson’s attitude, not the Ravens coaching staff, that caused this transaction to take place.
Didn’t get shot in Baltimore? He refused to enter a game with them. That’s on him. Also, Carolina saw what a cancer he was and practically gave him away. It was clearly a case of addition by subtraction. That speaks volumes.
I don’t happen to agree with your assessment, but I also do not have all of the details. I understand that Baltimore didn’t give him a shot against, even against the Eagles. Something had to happen in Carolina for the organization to put him on the open market. All of that top tier, #1, decade’s best at creating separation talent being traded for a late round draft pick swap?
If Johnson makes the field, it will be worth watching. I bet that Smith or VanNoy will decleated Johnson over the center and while he is down, they will explain that his place is on the bench.
Shoot. Guess Washington passed.
No, it didn’t make it down the list to them. Chargers tried to claim him too but Texans were ahead of them on the waiver wire. It turned out to be a defacto trade of receivers between the Ravens and the Texans. The Ravens claimed Steven Sims who was probably waived before the Texans placed players on IR.
I thought he took his ball and went home. I wouldn’t want to play with someone who quit on their previous team. You will never know if he’s giving you maximum effort. What should have happened is a few veterans take him in the locker room and have a “talk” with him. Just another punk who thinks he’s all that, obviously he’s not because he keeps getting cut