The Houston Texans did something notable in terms of their roster on Monday with the claim of wide receiver Diontae Johnson off of waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. This marks a promising young talent arriving on a Texans team trying to build its receiving corps into a competitive roster for the rest of the season.
Who is Diontae Johnson?
Diontae Johnson is easily one of the more exciting wide receivers in the league. He is an undrafted free agent who quickly proved to have a lot of promise playing for the Baltimore Ravens. He had a ton of speed, agility, and the ability to separate from just about anyone. He certainly caught some eye in training camp and during those preseason games. Although he was not a big contributor during the regular-season games with Baltimore, his talent and upside are what make him worth watching.
Why Did the Texans Claim Him?
The Texans are in a transition phase, trying to stabilize their roster and find long-term contributors. Claiming Johnson off waivers is a low-risk, high-reward move that fits into the team’s overall strategy of developing young players with potential.
Houston has endured injuries and inconsistency in its receiving corps throughout the season. It adds speed and versatility to its offense by having a player like Johnson on the board.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans must view Johnson as a prospect who can contribute on the field while also being able to appear on special teams.
This Means for the Texans:
The addition of Diontae Johnson could signal several things for the Texans:
Depth at Wide Receiver:
With the Texans’ receiver group needing reinforcements, Johnson adds much-needed depth. His ability to play multiple roles within the offense gives the Texans more flexibility moving forward.
Developmental Potential:
Johnson will give the coaching staff an opportunity to mold him into a dependable contributor. His raw talent is quite an interesting prospect for the rebuilding plans of the Texans.
Special Teams Contribution:
Johnson might find an immediate role on special teams, where his speed and athleticism may make him an asset in punt or kick return scenarios.
Roster Adjustments:
This move may lead to further changes within the Texans-wide receiving unit. The existing players may face increased competition, raising the bar even higher for the performances by risking being cut off or even on the bench.
Next What about Johnson and his Texans
This move marks a fresh start for Johnson, the opportunity to make himself a meaningful piece in Houston. His attention would likely be spent on learning the Texans’ playbook, building chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud, and generally making an impression on the coaching staff.
For the Texans, it underlines their pursuit of identifying and developing talent as they are looking to rebuild. Even though Johnson might be used less in the short term, his signing speaks volumes for their future plans to build an efficient offense.
