Cornerback Taron Johnson. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Raiders trade for Bills All-Pro who was about to be released

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 8:06 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to turn one team’s garbage into on-field gold.

The Raiders have reportedly acquired cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills, who were planning to release him before Las Vegas approached them with a deal. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are swapping one of their sixth-round picks for a Bills seventh-round pick to get the deal done.

Trade: The #Raiders are trading for #Bills veteran CB Taron Johnson, sources say. It's a 6/7 pick swap.

Johnson was announced as a release, but not officially on the wire yet. Las Vegas pounces. pic.twitter.com/B0oY28Uebp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026

The Bills picked Johnson in the fourth round of the 2018 draft and groomed him into the team’s starting nickel cornerback. But with the team shifting to a new defense next season under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Johnson became expendable.

Johnson was one of Buffalo’s most productive tacklers, averaging 89.5 tackles each season from 2020-23. The Weber State alum earned a 2nd-team All-Pro nod in 2023. He spent less time on the field over the last two seasons due to injuries and a diminished role.

The Raiders’ trade for Johnson comes days after the Bills had already announced plans to release the 29-year-old defensive back. He was among four players Buffalo planned to release to save cap space.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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