Get to know new Las Vegas defensive back
The Las Vegas signed defensive back Lonnie Johnson last week. Let’s get to know him:
Mostly a special teamer:
Johnson, who is entering his seventh NFL season, has mostly been a special teamer. Most of his snaps last year with Carolina was on special teams. He does have 20 career stats, but just one in the past three seasons. He played both cornerback and safety in the NFL, so he will be flexible for the Raiders and likely be a backup/special teamer.
Was a high draft pick:
The Houston Texans drafted Johnson out of Kentucky (he played there for two seasons after going the JUCO route) with the No. 54 overall pick in 2019.
Playoff touchdown:
He scored on a blocked punt in a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January, 2020.
Short stint in AFC West:
The Chiefs traded a conditional seventh-round pick to Houston for Johnson in May, 2022. The Chiefs cut him in August and he was claimed by the Tennessee Titans.
Connections to Raiders’ staff:
Johnson was in New Orleans in 2023 with Raiders’ pass-game coordinator Joe Woods and defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson. So, they know what he can do.
