:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66603610/1187445205.jpg.0.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns officially signed cornerback Kevin Johnson on Saturday.
OFFICIAL: Welcome to Cleveland, @kevjr9!
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 4, 2020
CB Kevin Johnson gives us another veteran option at defensive back » https://t.co/wQjAlSS8Zv pic.twitter.com/rlUgkElSmp
While the Browns did not release contract info, previous reports have the deal being a one-year contract for $3.5 million plus incentives:
Former Bills’ and Texans’ CB Kevin Johnson is signing a one-year, $3.5 million deal that could go up to $6 million on incentives with the Cleveland Browns, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020
The veteran cornerback spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, where he played in all 16 games, making one start, and finished the season with 36 tackles, a sack and five pass breakups while playing just 32 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Johnson was the 23rd best cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, which gave him an overall grade of 71.9, according to Bills Wire.
A former first-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2015 NFL Draft, Johnson spent four seasons with the Texans, but was never able to make much of an impact as he battled injuries that limited him to just 35 games with the Texans.
In his five seasons in the NFL, Johnson has played in 51 games with 19 starts, and has 154 tackles, one interception, 19 passes defensed, one sack and one fumble recovery, according to clevelandbrowns.com.
With the Browns, Johnson is expected to be in a position to claim the slot cornerback position previously manned by T.J. Carrie, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, and Eric Murray, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency.