Trumaine

Johnson

It is amazing that a player with $68 million in career earnings can land on a practice squad. The Panthers have a glaring issue at cornerback, from top to bottom. If Johnson is motivated he could eventually find a way onto the active roster.

The Jets save $3 million from Johnson’s release but will eat $12 million in dead money. Signed to a five-year deal in 2018, Johnson never came close to living up to his contract before getting benched last season. The Jets will move forward with Darryl Roberts, Blessuan Austin, and Arthur Maulet, but are expected to be aggressive in free agency. They’ve been linked to Byron Jones and James Bradberry.

Signed to a five-year deal as the league’s highest-paid corner prior to the 2018 campaign, Johnson has been a colossal bust for two separate coaching staffs. Cimini writes Johnson’s time in New York “is over.” Releasing Johnson, 30, would leave $12 million in dead money, clearing just $3 million against the cap. Johnson was benched for his poor play last season.

The 2018 free agent bust missed Week 9. The consensus amongst the Jets media is that 29-year-old Johnson has played his final down for the team. He has been one of the league’s worst corners this season. The Jets trotted out Darryl Roberts, Nate Hairston and Brian Poole in Week 9. Johnson will clear $11 million in cap space if designated as a post-June 1 cut next offseason. His $11 million 2020 salary becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the new league year.

Pauline reported the Raiders’ interest on Tuesday. Walking from the Rams after the team acquired Kansas City’s Marcus Peters, Johnson is the market’s top corner.

Johnson isn’t going back to the Rams after they traded for Marcus Peters. 28-year-old Johnson will get his first bite at free agency after getting franchise-tagged each of the previous two seasons. He’ll be the No. 1 corner on the market and should have a variety of suitors. The Raiders are planning to overhaul their cornerback room and have already cut David Amerson, with Sean Smith likely next on the chopping block. Johnson (6'2/213) is a prime press-man corner.

Johnson’s absence is good news for the entire Dolphins’ passing game. Preston Williams deserves credit for winning his battle with Joe Haden last week and has at least five targets in every game this season. DeVante Parker has ripped off 4-70-1, 3-28-1, 5-55-1 and 6-59-0 receiving lines in the Dolphins’ last four games. The Jets’ 25th-ranked defense in fewest PPR per game allowed to the WR position is hardly a unit to fear, particularly for outside WRs. None of Nate Hairston (No. 51), Darryl Roberts (No. 100) nor Johnson (No. 106) have managed to rank among PFF’s top-50 CBs this season among 127 qualified players.

Johnson was battling an ankle issue entering the game and quickly aggravated it. He was announced as “questionable” in the first half but did not return after the break. Nate Hairston is playing in his place. The Jags’ passing attack has been going wild. Johnson’s supposed trade value is all but dead.

This is probably wishful thinking on the Jets’ part as it’s doubtful anyone would want to take on Johnson’s exorbitant $14.5-million annual salary, particularly with how he’s played this year. But one can still dream. In addition to Johnson, the Jets are also reportedly shopping Leonard Williams and Robby Anderson, who are both headed for free agency after this season.

Johnson suffered the injury in Friday’s practice. The Jets defense has been better against the run (No. 6 in DVOA) than the pass (No. 17) through seven weeks. This game is shaping up as a potential blow-up spot for D.J. Chark, as slot CB Brian Poole (PFF’s No. 6 overall CB) has been significantly better than both Johnson (No. 100) and Darryl Roberts (No. 101). Nobody has allowed more receiving yards per game to opposing No. 1 WRs than the Jaguars (94.8) this season (Football Outsiders).