Diontae Johnson's move to Baltimore via trade this week might have felt like an example of the richer getting richer, but the Ravens had a need for him.
Specifically, they'd like to add some juice to their return game and think Johnson might be the answer.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke Wednesday about Johnson and was rather direct when discussing how they're experimenting with Johnson on special teams.
"We sure would," Harbaugh said when asked if they'd like to involve Johnson as a returner. "(Johnson has) talked about it. He was out there today with the punt returners -- just trying to get the rust knocked off probably -- and help us in that area as well.”
That's obviously not the first priority with Johnson, an experienced receiver who has plenty of knowledge about playing in the AFC North from his time with the Steelers. He'll join a receiving corps headlined by second-year stud Zay Flowers and attempt to find a role alongside the likes of Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor, among others.
The timing of the trade seemed intentional, too, as it came after a game in which Bateman and Agholor dropped key passes in a loss to the Browns. Baltimore isn't a franchise that likes to waste time, so the Ravens dialed Carolina and swung the deal Tuesday, stocking up with another weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“To me, it’s what we talked about all along. We’re always looking for an opportunity to make our team better, and that opportunity came along," Harbaugh said. "(General manager) Eric (DeCosta) found it, along with the personnel staff and all of the work that they put it in, and (they) made it happen. So we’re excited; our team is better because of it. It raises everybody up and makes us better, and we’re moving forward, and we’re excited about it.”
Johnson finished with 717 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games played last year, his final in Pittsburgh before moving south to Charlotte. He'd been the Panthers' best option in a woeful offense through eight weeks, catching 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Now, he's taken his talents to a contender built around a two-time NFL MVP under center. Harbaugh believes Johnson will fit in naturally.
“Yes. (Johnson) brings himself; he brings all the talents that he has," Harbaugh said. "He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got great hands, an explosive player, a big, strong, tough player. All of things that you’ve seen over the years, that’s what he brings, so you take those talents, and you fit him into what you’re doing, and let’s roll.”