NFL free agency: 4 cornerbacks for the Kansas City Chiefs to consider

Trumaine Johnson

Probably my favorite candidate to likely hit free agency in 2018 is Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson. The Rams have placed the franchise tag on Johnson for the last two years, giving him $30.7 million over two seasons. Given the other contractual decisions facing the Rams this spring, the 28-year-old cornerback most likely will find himself testing the market.

The Rams have been very active in free agency the last couple of years but with six of their starters contracts coming up, it’s highly unlikely they can afford to pay Johnson as well. Cornerback Troy Hill has shown he’s ready to step up in the defense, which could be another reason the Rams find themselves letting go.

Johnson has failed to get back to his seven interceptions year in 2015, but he is easily the best cornerback hitting the market in 2018. The 6’2, 208 lb. corner fits perfectly into Sutton’s defense of big, physical corners. The young corner played much better under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips aggressive over conservative approach. Sutton would have to play Johnson at the line but he fits the man coverage scheme the Chiefs like to run.

Bleacher Report ranked Johnson the 15th best cornerback in 2017. With New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore getting a $13.5 million annually last offseason, you can expect Johnson to be asking for a similar price. It’s a lot of money, but having two shut down cornerbacks makes for some of the best defenses in the league. Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Jacksonville Jaguars all prove that to be true in this passing league.