Taron Johnson gives the Buffalo Bills secondary skill and leadership

The Buffalo Bills re-signed cornerback Taron Johnson to a three-year, $31 million deal. He became the highest-paid nickel in the league. The deal comes after Johnson had an impressive season that included 72 solo tackles and eight pass deflections and it led to an All-Pro season, the first of his career. Johnson has been a mainstay on the Bills' defense since they selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Johnson had a lot of the workload in the cornerback room fall on him this past season due to an injury-heavy season in the secondary that included Tre'Davious White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer. White played just four games this season for the Bills, and Hyde suffered from injuries as well. Both Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford missed time too. This meant Johnson got his spot in the limelight by playing in all of Buffalo's this season. 

Johnson's 98 total tackles showed how active he was and his incredible contributions against the run. This can make him a leader for the Bills' secondary and the defense as he enters his seventh season in Buffalo. It is also reasonable to believe that at some point, Johnson will break through and get his hands on the football again in 2024. He did not have a pick in 2023, but he has done it before with four in his career.

Buffalo Bills Taron Johnson, lockdown nickel and defensive leader

He showed great poise in coverage all season, allowing five or more receptions when targeted in just three games. He also had only three games in which he allowed 50+ yards to wide receivers he was guarding. In short, he can be a lockdown cornerback. With the coverage, production, and a season that resulted in an All-Pro, the Bills re-signed a cornerback who can become a big-time face and leader of the Bills' defense.