When the Baltimore Ravens released trouble wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Friday, speculation was that the LA Chargers would be one of the teams that would put in a claim for him.
Johnson was ultimately claimed by the Houston Texans on Monday. However, it wasn't for a lack of effort by the Chargers. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Chargers also put in a claim for Johnson but Houston was higher on the waiver wire.
Texans steal Diontae Johnson right from underneath the Chargers
The fact that the Chargers even tried to bring in Johnson considering his polarizing stint with the Ravens speaks volumes about where they are with their wide receiver room and their desire to try to improve the position before the playoffs begin.
That this team, helmed by the brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh, would even try to acquire a player that was just released by his brother for refusing to play a game for the Ravens is telling. The Bolts clearly know the depth of the problem that they have at wide receiver and tried to rectify it.
The Chargers had interest in Johnson prior to his stint on the Ravens as well. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Chargers had several phone calls with the Carolina Panthers before he was traded to the Ravens.
Johnson was traded for a late-round pick swap that, at best, will give Carolina a day three pick that is a handful of spots higher than what the team's pick would have been in the sixth round. With that in mind, it seems unlikely the Chargers wanted to trade any assets at all for Johnson.
Unfortunately, the team was unable to add him now that the cost was free. In an even more ironic turn, the Chargers lost out on Johnson to a team the Bolts might end up playing in the first round of the NFL Playoffs if all goes well.
With the playoffs looming (the team can clinch a playoff berth with a win on Saturday in New England), the wide receiver issue is one to watch as the Bolts' offense begins to go against truly elite defenses. If they were willing to risk a clear troublemaker in hopes of improving this position, expect the team to pay a premium in the offseason to acquire a true number-one receiver.