NFL Free Agency 2019: Former Houston Texans CB Kevin Johnson to sign with Buffalo Bills
The Houston Texans released a former first round pick last week, and now he has signed with an AFC counterpart for the 2019 season.
The Houston Texans went as far as they believed they could go with former first round pick Kevin Johnson as they released him last week. This week, it is being reported the former Texans cornerback is now a member of the Buffalo Bills.
Many outlets, including Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, reported the Bills are the new home of Johnson and that the deal is still pending.
The #Bills are expected to add free agent CB Kevin Johnson, source said, giving them a former first-rounder in the secondary. The deal is pending a final review of the contract.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
As for Johnson’s time in Houston, he never panned out to be what they expected from a first round selection. Johnson was selected 16th overall by the Texans in 2015, and other than his rookie year, he never played in all 16 games in the regular season. Johnson never made double-figure starts with the franchise from 2016-18.
Good for CB Kevin Johnson going to Bills. Will be coached by former Texans DB coach John Butler. Johnson is a great guy and a hard worker. Just couldn’t stay healthy with the Texans. Here’s wishing him the best.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 11, 2019
In 2015 playing both cornerback and safety with the Texans as a rookie, Johnson totaled 52 tackles (47 solo) with three tackles for loss, nine passes defensed and one interception for a 22-yard return. That season Johnson made 10 starts, the only time that happened with the Texans.
In the next three seasons, Johnson played in 19 games with eight starts. In ’16 Johnson totaled 21 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, three passes defensed in six games (three starts).
The following season in ’17, Johnson played in 12 games, making four starts. He had two passes defensed, 45 tackles and one tackle for loss. This past season Johnson played in one game with the Texans (one start) with four tackles.
The signing of Johnson to the Bills is good for both him and the Texans as they each can get a fresh start and move on from each other. Various injuries added up for Johnson the past three seasons while with the Texans, and he never reached his full potential with the franchise due to those injuries, including concussion issues in 2018.
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Houston is still in need of cornerbacks on their roster and this free agency period — and 2019 NFL Draft next month — should heat up more for the team as they look to improve their roster.