The Las Vegas Raiders have acquired cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills in a late-round pick swap, addressing a top need just before NFL free agency begins Monday.
Johnson, a former second-team All-Pro, was expected to be released by the Bills in a salary-cap move. Instead, the Raiders sent a sixth-round pick to Buffalo while receiving a seventh-round selection in return. The trade cannot be finalized until the new league year starts Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Weber State product is under contract for $8.67 million in 2026 and $10 million in 2027, with $1.75 million of this year’s salary guaranteed March 15. The Raiders view the deal as low-risk for a player who has proven he can perform at a high level.
Johnson has spent his entire career with the Bills and has been among the NFL’s top slot corners. His elite 2023 season was followed by two less productive campaigns, including last year when he was recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in the 2024 playoffs.
The Raiders likely had inside knowledge of Johnson from senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb, who spent the past three seasons on Buffalo’s defensive staff and worked directly with Johnson, who is known as a strong leader and locker-room presence.
Cornerback was one of the team’s most pressing needs entering free agency. Another priority is retaining Eric Stokes, who had a breakout season in 2025 on a one-year deal. The Raiders still have nearly $120 million in cap space, pending the planned release of quarterback Geno Smith this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently praised Johnson on “The Pat McAfee Show,” saying, “Because Taron Johnson is one of the best players in the league and one of the most underrated players in the league, I think, for whatever reason. He can play a box linebacker and stop the run and he can cover guys.”
