Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIDecember 20, 2024

1. 
3. Michael Owens/Getty Images
4. The Baltimore Ravens waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson just 52 days after previously acquiring him in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
5. It didn’t work out for either side. Johnson saw little playing time and then refused to enter his team’s 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1. The Ravens responded by suspending Johnson for their 35-14 win against the New York Giants on Dec. 15. Now Johnson is out of town after catching just one pass for six yards in four games played.
6. Johnson, of course, is capable of far greater production. He snagged 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for Carolina before leaving for Baltimore. Johnson also averaged 78 catches for 873 yards and five scores during his five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-2023).
7. Now, other NFL teams have the opportunity to land Johnson via waivers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it looks like some franchises will be interested.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Diontae Johnson now will go on waivers and can be claimed Monday at 4 pm ET. There is, in the opinion of some, a reasonable chance that Johnson will be claimed Monday. <a href=”https://t.co/8DxktWeSEQ”>https://t.co/8DxktWeSEQ</a>

1. Here’s a look at three top potential landing spots for Johnson as the regular season quickly approaches its conclusion.
2. 
4. Patrick Smith/Getty Images
5. Johnson posted a per-17 game average of 86 catches, 963 yards and six touchdowns in Pittsburgh, per Pro Football Reference. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 after catching 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on an eye-popping 169 targets.
6. His numbers have tailed off a bit since then, partly because of inconsistent quarterback play in Pittsburgh in 2022 and 2023.
7. However, Russell Wilson has fared well in Pittsburgh, going 6-2 while completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns (just three interceptions) and 1,912 yards (8.1 YPA).
8. Johnson could thrive in Pittsburgh again, and the opportunity may be there for him to do so.
9. George Pickens is the clear top pass-catcher in Pittsburgh, but he’ll miss three straight games with a hamstring injury after sitting Saturday’s game at the Ravens. Calvin Austin III has made some big plays as the WR2 with 452 receiving yards and four touchdowns, but he’s also caught just 28 passes in 14 games. No other Steeler wide receiver has more than 231 yards.
10. Johnson can be productive, consistent and reliable for Wilson, soaking up targets and become a top-two receiver down the stretch. Of note, Johnson did have a drop problem, notably in 2020, but that’s since been cleaned up. Daniel Valente of The Score noted this last March.

Daniel Valente @StatsGuyDaniel

Panthers fans are going to hear a lot about Diontae Johnson’s drop problem. But, that’s been cleaned up for the most part since a bad 2020 season.<br><br>Since 2021, Diontae Johnson’s drop rate (3.5%) was 10th lowest out of all WRs who recorded at least 200 receptions, per PFR.

1. In short, Johnson seems as though he’d fill a need in Pittsburgh, a team that could use some offensive reinforcements as it attempts to hold off the Ravens for first in the AFC North.
2. 
4. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
5. The Commanders could use a No. 2 wide receiver opposite Terry McLaurin, especially with wideout Noah Brown placed on injured reserve with a kidney injury.
6. Only one wide receiver on the active roster, McLaurin, has more than 300 receiving yards this season. Johnson eclipsed that number in his sixth game this season.
7. They also could use more weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels in general, especially with versatile running back Austin Ekeler still out for at least two more weeks after landing on injured reserve following a concussion and nerve damage .
8. In October, ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote about trade targets and mentioned the New England Patriots as a potential landing spot for Johnson.
9. He also added: “But the Rams, Chiefs, Commanders and Cowboys would also all love to add a talented WR.”
10. The Commanders never added a wideout at the deadline, although they did pick up cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.
11. Johnson is available now, though. And with the Commanders fighting for a playoff spot, Johnson could be a huge boost to the offense in a complementary role alongside McLaurin as the de-facto WR2.
12. 
14. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
15. The Los Angeles Chargers are almost certain to make the playoffs after a dramatic 34-27 comeback win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday.
16. If there’s room for improvement, it might be found in the receiving corps, which has been largely inconsistent or lacking in production outside reliable rookie Ladd McConkey.
17. ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote this on Oct. 26: “Teams still in need of a receiver are thought to be the Steelers and the Chargers, among others.”
18. ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote that the Chargers should target Johnson in late October:
19. “Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been better than expected, but now that the Chargers are firmly in the AFC playoff mix, why not add a strong route runner in Johnson to give Justin Herbert an open target? The investment wouldn’t be significant because Johnson is in the last year of his deal, and if it works out, the Chargers can have the first shot at signing him in free agency, too.”
20. McConkey has been a reliable rookie with 69 catches foe 960 yards and five touchdowns. Josh Palmer is a solid deep threat. But second-year pro Quentin Johnson, who has scored eight times, has struggled with drops. He’s only caught 37 of hid 69 targets.
21. Johnson could certainly arrive in Los Angeles and at least be insurance if needed or enter the fray if the Chargers are looking for more help.