Taron Johnson
Summary
Taron Johnson was drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Round 4, (pick 121) out of Weber State. Johnson is a highly valuable slot/nickel corner who brings versatility, toughness, and reliability to the Bills’ secondary. He may not consistently shine as a top‑outside corner in all coverage situations, but his ability to support against the run, execute in sub‑packages, and make impactful plays (including turnovers) gives him strong value. For the Bills, he allows defensive flexibility and helps bridge the gap between typical corner and safety responsibilities in nickel-heavy sets.
When deploying him, Buffalo has the freedom to bring pressure, rotate in safety roles, or match up in the slot without sacrificing run‑support. That makes Johnson a strong piece for their defensive scheme.
Strengths
Versatility & Big‑Play Ability
Johnson has shown the ability to both cover and support the run, and he can blitz from the nickel spot. “He’s a weapon on defense … capable of playing man or zone, blitzing off the edge or containing the run.” Buffalo Rumblings
He’s produced timely turnovers — for example, he returned an interception for a TD vs. the Colts in 2024.
His 2024 grade: Overall 65.0, coverage grade 61.1, run‑defense grade 76.8 according to PFF. PFF
Strong Run‑Support Skills for a Corner
Durability & Snap Count
Johnson has been reliably on the field: e.g., played 1,114 snaps in 2022, making him one of the more durable defensive backs. Footballguys
The Bills showed their commitment by extending him with a three‑year deal worth ~$30 M in 2024.
Weaknesses
Coverage Consistency / Top‑End Coverage Skills
His coverage grade (61.1 in 2024) is middling among qualified corners. PFF
While versatile, he may struggle in isolated outside‑corner situations against elite wideouts or on deep vertical routes given his size and maybe top‑speed relative to outside‑corners.
Size & Length Limitations
At 5′11″ and 192 lbs, Johnson doesn’t possess the prototypical size that some outside corners have, which may limit him in certain matchups with big receivers or in press coverage. ESPN.com
Turnover Production Floor
While he has had impactful plays, his interception and pass‑breakup numbers aren’t among the elite in the league. For example: in 2024 he had 2 interceptions and some pass deflections; solid, but not elite. PFF
Fit & Outlook
Johnson fits the Bills’ defensive philosophy well: multiple fronts, nickel‑heavy personnel packages, and a need for a corner who can play both zone and run support. His skill set aligns with the slot/nickel role rather than as a pure outside shadow.
He projects as a high‑floor starter in the nickel, possibly rotating into more outside slot or third‑down roles. If he improves his coverage consistency and turnover production, he could elevate to being considered among the better slot corners in the league. Given his contract extension and role, the Bills intend him to be a core piece for the next few years.