Las Vegas Raiders sign Taron Johnson

Taron Johnson earns a B Contract Value Index (CVI) on this trade, a verdict that reflects solid value for a cornerback coming off a productive tenure elsewhere, though the Raiders are paying closer to market rate than landing a discount. At $10.25M AAV over three years ($30.75M total), Johnson slots into the above-average cornerback range—competitive but not elite-tier money, which aligns with a player who has proven capable at the position without being a lockdown, franchise-pillar talent. The CVI grade improves because the Raiders, sitting at 3-14 and nowhere near a championship window, are making a win-now move that addresses a legitimate roster gap rather than overpaying for a rental or mortgaging future cap flexibility on a declining asset. Johnson's contract is manageable and provides flexibility year-to-year, avoiding the long-term cap albatross deals that have hamstrung Las Vegas in previous front office eras. The risk lies in execution—a 3-14 team trading for mid-tier defensive help is only a sound investment if the coaching staff and offense improve materially in 2026, turning a modest talent acquisition into a real competitive catalyst rather than defensive window dressing on a sinking ship.