The Oakland Raiders, who heavily underachieved this past season following a breakout 2016-17 campaign, are likely going to get a nice facelift on defense this offseason in hopes of getting back to the playoffs. And according to a report on Tuesday via Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst, new head coach Jon Gruden and the Raiders plan to target Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson in free agency.
“I’m told Trumaine Johnson is the No. 1 target for the Oakland Raiders in free agency and that the team will make a pointed effort to sign the cornerback,” Pauline said. “Johnson is expected to have numerous suitors once free agency opens, and Oakland views Johnson as a great pairing with Gareon Conley.”
Johnson, who has played his first six seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams, was a third-round selection back in the 2012 NFL Draft out of the University of Montana. The 28-year-old cornerback grew up southeast of Oakland down in Stockton, so a return to Northen California might be in store for Johnson's near future.
In 85 career games with the Rams, Johnson has racked up 18 interceptions, made 328 tackles, has deflected 67 passes and scored three touchdowns on defense.
Johnson would be quite a nice upgrade to the Oakland secondary, as the Raiders already released starting cornerback David Amerson just one day after Super Bowl LII.
It wouldn't come as much of a surprise if the team decided to cut cornerback Sean Smith as well due to his impending felony charges for assault and battery stemming from an incident on July 4 of 2017.
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