Packers Rumors: CB Trumaine Johnson a Trade Target for Green Bay?
The Packers, according to a source, have shown interested in trading for Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
The source is connected to a fantasy gambling website, so take this with a grain of salt. On the other hand, this account was the first to break the news about receiver Eric Decker signing with the Jets and Darrelle Revis trade to Tampa Bay.
We do know that the Rams have begun discussions in finding a trade partner, though. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport noted yesterday that while Johnson has signed his franchise tag, it’s premature to assume the 27-year-old cornerback will return to Los Angeles.
2016 marked the second-straight year the Rams placed the franchise tag on Johnson. He’s scheduled to make $16.7 million guaranteed on a one-year deal, making him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.
The Rams, or whomever would trade for him, have until July 15 to sign him to a multi-year deal. If not, he’s locked in on the one-year, $16.7 million contract.
Would Trumaine Johnson be a fit in Green Bay?
Johnson had a tremendous 2015 by all accounts. He led his team and finished third in the NFL with seven interceptions, broke up 12 more passes and notched 69 tackles.
He intercepted a pass against the Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in 2015, jumping in front of a throw intended for James Jones:
A free agent last offseason, Johnson was given the franchise tag by the Rams.
Then in 2016, his numbers took a nosedive. He recorded only one interception, and LA Daily News columnist Vincent Bonsignore wrote last week that while Johnson is scheduled to be the highest paid cornerback in the league, he’s not the most talented corner in the league.
“He might not even be among the top five,” wrote Bonsignore. “Especially coming off an injury riddled season in which he missed two games and his on-field play was a step back from the level he played the season before.”
The Packers secondary is in disarray after injuries and ineffectiveness plagued the team. In some ways, adding Johnson to the secondary is like adding another Damarious Randall. Johnson’s warts as a player, according to a Pro Football Focus scouting report, is balancing ability against constant production.
What’s the Rams’ asking price for Trumaine Johnson in a trade?
Los Angeles enters free agency with $20 million of cap space, so signing Johnson to a one-year, $16.7 million deal is not realistic.
But that’s not the whole story. The Rams gave up a small fortune last year to move up in the draft for quarterback Jared Goff.
To move up fourteen spots in last year’s draft, the Rams handed over a first-round pick (2016), two second-round picks (2016), a third-round pick (2016), a first-round pick (2017) and another third-round pick (2017).
Johnson’s price tag could very well start with a first-round and third-round pick to give Los Angeles the draft capital they sent away to pick Goff.
