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Ryan McFaddenMar 9, 2026, 01:37 PM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.<\/p>\n Multiple Authors<\/p>\n HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> agreed to a trade for Buffalo Bills<\/a> veteran cornerback Taron Johnson<\/a>, a source told ESPN on Sunday.<\/p>\n The Raiders are sending a sixth-round pick to the Bills and will receive a seventh-round pick in return, the source said.<\/p>\n The Bills announced Friday that they were releasing Johnson and three other players<\/a>. But the four weren’t listed on the transaction wire, leaving the possibility for a trade.<\/p>\n The Bills’ cap savings were the same whether Buffalo traded Johnson or cut him outright ($1.9 million).<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n The Bills elected to move on from Johnson — their starting nickel cornerback — as they shift into a different defensive philosophy, from a 4-3 base to a 3-4, under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.<\/p>\n Johnson, 29, was selected in the fourth round in 2018, part of president of football operations\/general manager Brandon Beane’s first draft class in Buffalo. He cemented his role as a starter in 2020 after being benched during the season. Since 2020, no team has been in nickel more often than the Bills (83.4%), with part of that due to Johnson’s performance.<\/p>\n He will most likely be remembered in Buffalo for his 101-yard pick-six against the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> in the 2020 postseason.<\/p>\n He has eight interceptions, 48 passes defended, eight forced fumbles and 572 tackles in his career.<\/p>\n By acquiring Johnson, the Raiders helped address their need at cornerback — a position group that lacked talent and depth last season. Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly<\/a> struggled, allowing a team-high 559 yards on 37 catches and 56 targets before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in Week 14.<\/p>\n Darien Porter<\/a>, the team’s third-round pick in 2025, appeared in 17 games (10 starts). He has upside, but is still developing. Decamerion Richardson<\/a> played mostly on special teams.<\/p>\n