Early Saturday morning, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the WR Diontae Johnson is likely to be claimed on waivers following his release from the Ravens. Schefter decided to highlight the LA Chargers and Kansas Chiefs as two of the teams with interest on the wire.
Schefter wasn’t the only one to connect dots between Johnson and the Chargers. The three spots that NFL insider Ian Rapoport highlighted in a report today were Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City.
Multiple NFL insider connect Diontae Johnson to the Chargers
Johnson’s Baltimore tenure became untenable after he reportedly refused to go into a game against the Eagles. He was suspended a game for conduct detrimental to the team but did not return to practice once his suspension was lifted. The Ravens traded a late-round pick swap for the former Panthers receiver at the trade deadline.
Obviously, it’s worth noting that it’s John Harbaugh’s Ravens that are putting him on waivers to begin with. Perhaps that will mean something to GM Joe Hortiz and HC Jim Harbaugh in the decision making process here.
However, the Chargers can essentially get him at a bargain now with a relatively inexpensive salary for the remainder of the year. Unlike acquiring him at the deadline, Hortiz would also get to retain all of his draft capital.
The Chargers are in a rather tricky spot injury-wise with their WR room. Brenden Rice, Simi Fehoko, and Jalen Reagor all remain on IR. Despite the bevy of injuries in front of him, DJ Chark Jr. has not been able to play more than 12-15 snaps in their absences.
Outside of the Chargers’ own injuries and lack of offensive firepower, there also could be an incentive for the team to play keep away. The Chiefs and Steelers were the other playoff-bound teams mentioned in Rapoport’s initial report.
As the Chargers enter the weekend at 9-6, they will be approximately 21st in waiver priority. That would clear both Kansas City and Pittsburgh on waivers, assuming another team ahead of the Chargers does not claim Johnson.
The Chargers have a week until they kickoff next Saturday vs. New England. We’ll see if a Diontae Johnson waiver claim does indeed happen before then as LA continues their playoff push.