Overview
- The Raiders acquired veteran slot cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills in March for a sixth-round pick to address their nickel role.
- Johnson did not attend early voluntary OTAs while seeking a restructured deal and then showed up at team practice on June 3, marking his first on-field work with the team.
- There has been no public report of a new contract or added guarantees for Johnson and the Raiders can enforce fines or attendance rules at mandatory minicamp in early June.
- Coaches praised Johnson’s instincts, change of direction and scheme versatility after getting a first look, and his presence immediately frees the staff to expand nickel and safety packages.
- In Johnson’s absence the Raiders split nickel reps between veteran Jeremy Chinn and rookie Treydan Stukes, and Johnson’s arrival could change Stukes’ role and affect the team’s effort to create more takeaways.