The Bills have struck out in recent years when it comes to signing veteran free agent cornerbacks. That was not the case with cornerback Kevin Johnson.
Johnson, a former first-round pick of the Texans, signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Bills last offseason. Vontae Davis and EJ Gaines are some example of veteran defensive backs in the past who did not prove themselves like Johnson did last season.
But for his efforts, Johnson was tabbed as the Bills’ most improved player in 2019 by Pro Football Focus:
Johnson didn’t play in a full-time starting role for the Bills this season, but he did provide effective rotational snaps at slot and outside cornerback for the team. A season like Johnson had — one that earned a coverage grade of 73.6 across 402 defensive snaps — was much needed after how his time with the Texans came to a close. Injuries were a problem in Houston, as Johnson managed just 931 snaps from 2016-18, but his play when he was on the field in Houston wasn’t all that encouraging, either. In his four seasons there, Johnson graded above 65.0 only once, and that was in a 2016 campaign that was limited to 287 snaps. He then proceeded to follow that up with a 2017 season in which he threw out a 34.0 grade in coverage with a 137.3 passer rating allowed on his targets. The improvement in 2019 from that 2017 season and a lost season in 2018 due to concussions is certainly noteworthy.
While playing a rotational role, Johnson did qualify for PFF’s overall player grades. Among all cornerbacks, Johnson earned the 23rd best grade in the NFL, only a few slots behind Tre’Davious White at 18. However, their competition and workloads were much different, of course.
While a profitable season, the 27-year-old is a bit overlooked in Buffalo’s free agent plans. On defense, much of the attention goes to Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips in regard to the discussion about who the Bills should keep or let go.
Regardless, Johnson was an important piece for Buffalo, but it would make sense for him to test the free agent waters. The Bills would likely want him back, but having said that, at the going rate for his rotational role. Buffalo cannot be mad at Johnson potentially testing the free agent waters for a starting role elsewhere, and a starting pay rate.
But if Johnson does settle on the Bills, he’ll likely compete for the No. 2 job, at minimum, with Levi Wallace, during the 2020 offseason. Wallace is an EFRA, so he’ll be back with the Bills. Those two rotated as the No. 2 cornerback, at times, in 2019.
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