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5 Buffalo Bills with plenty to gain in training camp

By Avery Duncan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball on a 26-yard touchdown play in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball on a 26-yard touchdown play in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 03: Delanie Walker #82 of the Tennessee Titans runs into the endzone for a touchdown defended by Kevin Johnson #30 of the Houston Texans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 03: Delanie Walker #82 of the Tennessee Titans runs into the endzone for a touchdown defended by Kevin Johnson #30 of the Houston Texans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

3. Kevin Johnson – CB

Kevin Johnson‘s thing to gain is the shedding of a bust label. A 2015 first-round pick by way of the Houston Texans, the cornerback disappointed down South. The Wake Forrest product dealt with high expectations, but injuries quickly halted that. Before the start of free agency, Houston waived him and his pricey, unguaranteed, fifth-year option.

Johnson showed promise in his rookie season, starting ten games and tallying a pick, nine pass deflections, and 52 tackles. He then started his second season on a good note, posting a high Pro Football Focus 81.2 grade in his first six games before sustaining a season-ending foot injury. Since then, he hasn’t quite been the same; as he started five games in two seasons.

The Bills bit at the opportunity to sign Johnson to a cheap one year deal, where he’ll get a fresh start to an otherwise troubling career. So far, he’s acting on it. During OTAs, the cornerback began to earn a fan in head coach Sean McDermott, as the coach noted during a press conference:

"What I’ve seen to this point is a young man who is extremely focused, works extremely hard, is smart, plays the game the way that we want it to be played. — We’ll see more when the pads come on, it’s still early. To this point I’ve loved his mindset."

McDermott is right. Johnson impressed when lightly practicing, but he has a ways to go to earn the trust of the Bills’ staff. Though not currently slated as a starter — that goes to Tre’Davious White and Levi Wallace — Johnson, if he impresses, may even ascend to that territory. But let’s take it one step at a time; as of now, the corner shedding a bust label is his to gain.

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