The Miami Dolphins added another veteran defender on a 1-year contract Wednesday — defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Dolphins agreed to a 1-year contract with Johnson.
The Houston Texans selected Johnson at No. 54 overall in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. At the time, analysts raved about his physical abilities.
“Long and tall with physical traits galore, Johnson looks the part but lacks the consistency and ball skills expected of a starting NFL cornerback,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote during the 2019 draft process. “He has enough athleticism to make it as a cornerback, but he could be tied to a press-and-trail scheme where some of his coverage deficiencies can be covered up.
“His physical gifts could get him overdrafted, but he can become an eventual starter if he hones his ball skills and finds the right scheme fit.”
At 30 years old, Johnson might not have the same level of physical gifts. But he will bring seven years of NFL experience to Miami.
Last season, Johnson played nine games for the Las Vegas Raiders, starting two of them. He had 25 combined tackles with two pass defenses.
The Dolphins can make Johnson’s contract agreement official at 4 pm ET Wednesday. That’s when the new league year begins.
Until then, free agent contract offers are handshake agreements.
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The Dolphins were loading up on veteran defenders with low risk Wednesday. In addition to Johnson, the team signed cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. and edge rusher Joshua Uche in free agency.
Along with those defenders, the Dolphins brought back linebackers Cameron Goode and Willie Gay on short deals.
At 30 years old, Johnson’s not likely to ever fulfill his draft position. Although he came into the league with considerable hype, he has started just 22 games in his career.
Since 2022, Johnson has started three contests.
But Johnson re-emerged as a solid contributor with the Raiders last season. He played 55% of the team’s defensive snaps in his nine games.
That was after he missed the start of the 2025 campaign because of a fractured fibula.
Johnson’s Career NFL Resume
After 19 starts with the Texans during his first three seasons, Houston traded Johnson to the Kansas City Chiefs in May 2022.
But he never played in Kansas City. The Chiefs waived him during the 2022 preseason.
Johnson landed back in the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans. Over the past four years, he’s experienced 1-year stints with the Titans, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers and Raiders.
Before last season, Johnson had played in at least 12 games during each of those four years. However, last season’s 321 defensive snaps were Johnson’s most since 2021.
Based on how he played in 2025, though, Johnson could be in for a bigger role with the Dolphins. In each of his three Texans seasons, Johnson played at least 529 defensive snaps.
But because Johnson’s contract is likely affordable, the Dolphins will have flexibility. They could deploy the veteran defensive back in a starter-type role or use him as a depth piece if they find a superior or younger option.
Johnson can also contribute on special teams. He has averaged about 178 special teams snaps per season throughout his entire career.
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