2016 NFL free agency: Who will Trumaine Johnson sign with?
Will cornerback Trumaine Johnson stay with the Los Angeles Rams, or find a new home in free agency this offseason?
Cornerback is one of the most loaded positions of the 2016 NFL free agency period. Josh Norman is the big name of course, but there are a few more free agent corners behind him who could be starters for a number of teams across the NFL.
A prominent member of that group is Trumaine Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams, who should be in line for a big pay day.
Vitals
Age: 26
Notable stat: 15 career interceptions
All-Pro teams: 0
Pro Bowls: 0
Contract Comparison
Free agent corners like Norman, Sean Smith and Casey Heyward are going to get paid this offseason, and Johnson should be in the tier right behind that group. While Johnson isn’t among the elite players at the position, he is a very good piece that could provide an immediate upgrade for a number of teams.
Teammate (and fellow free agent) Janoris Jenkins might be the more well-known member of the Rams’ cornerback duo due to his highlight-reel hitting ability, but Johnson was much better than him in 2015. Johnson allowed just a 55.0 opposing passer rating when targeted, second in the NFL behind Norman, while recording seven interceptions last year.
That was easily Johnson’s best season in the NFL, so he still needs to prove he can sustain that level of play for the long-term. A fair comparison might be Byron Maxwell, who turned one outstanding season into a six-year, $63 million contract with $25 million guaranteed last offseason.
Johnson will be hurt a bit by the fact that he has missed nine games over the past two years due to injuries, but the fact that he is just 26 years old will offset some of that.
Estimate: 6 years/ $66 million / $28 million guaranteed
Will he stay?
The Rams face quite a decision this offseason in regards to their secondary. All four starters on the unit are set to hit free agency, as safeties Rodney McLeod and Mark Barron are also due for a pay raise.
Los Angeles is projected to have a healthy $36 million of cap space, but keeping all four members of the secondary seems unlikely. The big question the Rams face is if they want to keep the best (and most expensive) player in Johnson, or let him walk and ensure they have enough depth in the secondary.
Johnson is also a candidate for the franchise tag, so there’s a solid chance he stays with the Rams. Still, it would not be a surprise if Johnson can get paid more somewhere else on the market.
If he leaves…
Norman is probably staying put with the Carolina Panthers, so Johnson will be one of the top corners potentially available. A few teams with a need for a starting corner in 2016 could be in the running to add him.
The Jacksonville Jaguars should be considered an option for any defensive player, as they have a ton of cap space and needs all over the place on that side of the ball. Johnson could also start for the New Orleans Saints right away (although their cap situation is a mess), while the Pittsburgh Steelers will also be in the market for a starting-caliber cornerback this offseason.