In one of the more unexpected moves of the week, the Baltimore Ravens claimed former wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Houston Texans. For a player who delivered little more than drama during his earlier stint with Baltimore, his name popping back up on the Ravens’ roster has left fans raising their eyebrows.
Make no mistake about it—this isn’t about giving Johnson another chance on the field.
Johnson’s return to Baltimore is purely procedural. The wideout probably won't even step foot in the Ravens’ facility until after the Super Bowl, and the team isn’t looking to reintegrate him into their plans. Instead, this move is about the future. By claiming Johnson, the Ravens keep themselves in play for a compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he signs elsewhere in free agency.
Back to Baltimore: The Ravens claimed their former WR Diontae Johnson on waivers today from the Texans, per the league’s wire. This a procedural move and Johnson won’t officially be “awarded” to the Ravens until after the Super Bowl. But he qualifies as an unrestricted free agent… pic.twitter.com/5bGRL9ymcX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2025
Yes, this is the kind of 4D chess Baltimore’s front office loves to play. While Johnson’s NFL stock has plummeted, the Ravens are positioning themselves to get something out of his potential next stop—something they didn't capitalize on after his first Baltimore release.
Why would the Ravens bring back Diontae Johnson now?
It’s simple: the Ravens are playing the long game. Diontae Johnson didn’t work out in Baltimore during his initial stint, logging one catch for six yards and bringing plenty of off-field headaches before being waived in December.
But claiming him now could yield a compensatory draft pick if he lands with another team during free agency. This was one of the main reasons the Ravens initially won the trade with the Panthers.
The Texans, who claimed Johnson after his release from Baltimore, quickly learned what Ravens fans already knew: his baggage outweighs his production. Houston gave Johnson 38 offensive snaps across two games, where he managed just three catches for 24 yards. Despite needing receiver depth for their playoff run, they cut ties with Johnson before their Divisional Round matchup with Kansas City.
It’s not hard to see why. Johnson’s frustration over playing time boiled over in Houston, echoing the issues he had in Baltimore. After the Texans’ Wild Card win, reports surfaced that Johnson sat in the locker room visibly upset, fully dressed and frustrated over his lack of targets.
This is all about maximizing value. Johnson may never wear a Ravens uniform again, but if another team signs him, his name could help Baltimore land a compensatory pick in 2026. It’s a no-risk play from one of the NFL’s savviest front offices.
Diontae Johnson’s NFL future remains uncertain. After being cut by four teams in a year, his reputation as a locker-room distraction makes him a hard sell.
But as far as the Ravens are concerned, his next move could still pay off—just not on the field. Talk about coming out of nowhere.