Houston Texans: Now is the Time for Lonnie Johnson to step up

Lonnie Johnson seems to be in line for a larger role and an uptick in snaps after the Houston Texans released Aaron Colvin.

The Houston Texans made the decision to officially part ways with cornerback Aaron Colvin on Wednesday. This should have come as no surprise, as Brian Gaine was the general manager who elected to sign him in free agency.

Colvin struggled in coverage and he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs the last season, which ultimately didn’t bode well for a team that was in need of help in the secondary. For as bad as Colvin’s first year was with the Texans, he wasn’t better in his second season in week one against the New Orleans Saints.

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Although the Texans coaching staff had an enormous letdown on the final play before Will Lutz’s game-winning field goal; Colvin was the defender who gave up the final reception after playing off in coverage.

This decision to part ways with Colvin will give rookie cornerback Lonnie Johnson a chance to step up and crack the rotation in the secondary. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Johnson is the highest pick the Texans have used on a cornerback since Kevin Johnson was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft.

Johnson will compete for more snaps with recently acquired Keion Crossen. Texans traded a 2020 sixth-round draft choice to the New England Patriots after trading away their special teams ace, Johnson Bademosi.

Johnson has intriguing size and athleticism for the cornerback position. At 6’3,  Johnson has the strength to outmuscle a lot of receivers and the speed to run with most receivers he’s likely to face.