The Las Vegas Raiders have strengthened their secondary by acquiring cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills in a trade reported by Ian Rapoport. According to reports, Las Vegas will send an undisclosed sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to Buffalo while also receiving Johnson and a seventh-round selection in return. Both teams had multiple picks in those rounds, making the swap relatively flexible for each side.
Johnson had been expected to be released by Buffalo before the move became official, but the Bills ultimately completed a trade instead. The 29-year-old defensive back now heads to Las Vegas, where he is expected to provide veteran experience and depth to a defense that struggled during the previous season.
Raiders Acquire Cornerback Taron Johnson From Bills in Draft Pick Swap TradeTaron Johnson Brings Experience and Secondary Depth to the Raiders During Defensive Roster Overhaul
Since entering the league as a fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Johnson has been a consistent contributor in Buffalo’s defensive system under head coach Sean McDermott. Known for his versatility and reliability, Johnson has frequently filled key roles in the secondary. One of his most productive seasons came in 2023 when he played all 17 regular-season games and helped the Bills finish with an 11–6 record and capture the AFC East division title.
In the 2025 season, Johnson appeared in 11 games and started eight of them. During that campaign, he recorded 57 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four passes defended. His performance earned a 60.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, placing him 66th among 114 qualifying cornerbacks.
The Raiders’ move to add Johnson comes during a period of defensive restructuring. Earlier in the offseason, Las Vegas traded star pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens. By acquiring Johnson, the Raiders aim to stabilize their defense and bring experienced talent to a unit looking to rebound next season.
