The latest turn in Diontae Johnson‘s journeyman 2024 season took place yesterday when he was waived by the Texans. The veteran wideout’s future for the remainder of the campaign has now been settled. 
Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Ravens on Wednesday, per the transactions wire (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). To be clear, this is merely a procedural move; he will not suit up for Baltimore over the remainder of the postseason. Like all waived players at this time of year, Johnson will not formally be awarded to the team until after the Super Bowl.
By virtue of being a Raven once the league year ends, Johnson departing on the open market could put Baltimore in line for a 2026 compensatory pick. More immediately, this move prevents the 28-year-old from becoming a free agent amongst the eight remaining playoff team. Had Johnson cleared waivers, an interested suitor could have brought him in as depth option on offense.
Considering how this campaign has played out, of course, it would have come as a surprise if any team had been particularly keen on bringing Johnson in for the stretch run. The former Steeler was traded to the Panthers this offseason, and his early production with Carolina was notable given the team’s offensive struggles. As the trade deadline approached, it became clear a deal sending the pending free agent elsewhere was likely, and he was sent to Baltimore.
That move resulted in sparse usage, however, something Johnson took issue with. After making only four appearances with the Ravens, he was waived and claimed by the Texans as part of their efforts to replace the injured Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Johnson played only one game during the regular season before taking part in last week’s wild-card contest, and his playing time (or lack thereof) was again an issue. The Toledo product’s latest departure came as no surprise, and it compounds what will already be a very poor free agent market this spring.
Now, Johnson will be able to turn his attention to free agency in March. Once his two-year, $36.71MM pact expires, it will be interesting to see how many teams are willing to entertain signing him.
I think that the compensatory pick is a solid note, here. Still, it’s a bit bizarre. Do we think that Johnson even reports? Maybe the Ravens would be alright with that…
In all seriousness, you have to wonder whether this would prompt some callback from other teams at league’s end. Baltimore would have to make some attempt to use Johnson in some way to make the argument that this was for on field competitive reasons, and not just the pick. They’ve farmed them successfully like no other franchise-it shouldn’t surprise us if they did so again.
No one is going to sign him to a contract that will even figure in the compensatory formula. No one wanted him the several times he was free. He will be lucky to get a min contract with incentives. It’s much more about not letting the Chiefs pick him up.
There is a joke here somewhere about him not playing in the postseason.
I agree, and MLB actually changed its rule on compensatory picks partially because of this. Now, you have to have a player on your roster for the whole season to be eligible for a comp pick if they leave in free agency; you can’t trade or claim someone during the season just to use them for a pick like the Ravens are doing. I’m surprised the NFL doesn’t have a similar rule.
That said, since this is the rule, I’m surprised another team didn’t claim him for the same reason. It’s a dumb rule but credit the Ravens for taking advantage anyway.
@michael Chaney. I think it has to be before the draft and a certain amount on the contract. Johnson will be signing a vet minimum deal a day before preseason starts if he’s lucky
Shows the absurdity of the compensatory pick system (what a scam).
I don’t have a problem with the concept of it, despite the absurdity of this move, my beef is that the value assessed for the lost asset seems so arbitrary.
If they win the SB, does he get anything; even a ring?
Probably … he was technically part of the team.
The Ravens lost their season opener and lost a regular season game to the Browns. The last time a team did that and went on to win a championship was 1960.
No, players will vote him the ring box but it’ll be empty. Think they claimed em to suspend em again.
This would be so awesome if it were true.
LA Sam I mean.