The Buffalo Bills have 12 unrestricted free agents inching their way toward free agency which opens on March 18. On March 16, the Bills can start negotiating with other team’s players and then two days later, the club can officially ink players to deals (although, reports of signings will start on the 16).
On the flip, the Bills’ pending free agents can do the same and sign with another franchise. With the clock ticking, the Bills still have a chance to sign their own free agents to contracts, and might even do so after the market opens.
Bills Wire will do a 12-part rundown of each of Buffalo’s pending free agents leading up to the “tampering period”.
Here’s the free agent profile for Bills free agent cornerback Kevin Johnson:
Stats
2019: 16 games play, 36 tackles, 1 sack, 5 passes defended
Bills: 16 games play, 36 tackles, 1 sack, 5 passes defended
Career: 51 games played, 164 tackles, 19 passes defended, 1 sack, 1 interception
How acquired
Signed via free agency, March 2019
Previous contract
One-year, $3 million deal (current age: 27)
Breakdown
The term “prove-it deal” is tossed out there a lot and in Johnson’s case, it really was one. The Texans cut Johnson after picking up the fifth-year option on his contract as a former first-round pick (2015). Johnson had a long, long list of injuries which overshadowed his talent as first rounder. In 2018, a concussion suffered in Week 1 caused him to miss the entire season.
With the Bills, Johnson signed that one-year deal based on those injuries. He had to prove to teams he could stay healthy, and he did so, playing in all 16 games for the club. Johnson provided a depth role, but also pushed fellow cornerback Levi Wallace for his starting job. The two, at times, split playing time with Wallace getting slightly more.
Regardless, in 2017 and 2018 the Bills had a massively lacking amount of cornerback depth and it burned them. With Johnson, that key depth was in place all year. An important role either way.
What are the Bills’ options?
It’s complicated. The Bills basically have to let Johnson test the market and it’s really the only option they have. Johnson had talent to push for starting time but played a rotational role. How much is that going to cost Buffalo? Well, Johnson has to hit the market to find out how much teams are willing to pay him and if anyone wants to give him a starting job. Wallace is an exclusive-rights free agent, which means he’ll be back.
What should they do?
The only option the Bills can. Let Johnson hit the open market and see how much he’s worth. But the Bills should absolutely keep in touch with him. Johnson worked out for the Bills in an important spot. Who didn’t? Vontae Davis and EJ Gaines didn’t in that same position. A bit of a pay increase from his $3 million per season rate would be a wise investment for the Bills.
[lawrence-related id=56406,56379,56296,56362]