The New Orleans Saints continue to be active in the free agency period that began on March 15th. New Orleans has been able to fill some of the concerns that arose during the 2022 season. Today, the Saints are adding a defensive back to their roster. According to the Score’s Jordan Schultz, the team is signing defensive back Lonnie Johnson Jr. to the roster on a one-year deal. There were several suitors for the former 2019 second-round pick, who was originally drafted by the Houston Texans. Johnson Jr. spent the first three seasons of his NFL career before having brief stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season.

Lonnie Johnson Jr.’s Career in the NFL:

Lonnie Johnson Jr. signs with the Saints

Texans CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) – Cliff Welch/Getty Images

Johnson Jr. was originally drafted 54th overall by the Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Kentucky product appeared in 44 games with 19 starts for Houston. During his tenure with the Texans, Johnson Jr. totaled 115 tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes defended. In the 2020 season, Johnson Jr. would set a career-high in games played (16) and tackles (70) as a member of the Texans. He would continue that momentum heading into the 2021 season where he would record a career-best three interceptions in 14 games played with Houston.

The 27-year-old cornerback would be traded by the Texans to the Chiefs during the 2022 offseason in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick. Johnson Jr. would see action during the preseason for the Chiefs and he was starting to turn heads in the organization. His best preseason game came in a 19-14 loss to the Chicago Bears where he would have three combined tackles. After spending three months with the team, Kansas City decided they had seen enough from the Kentucky product and the Chiefs decided to waive the veteran cornerback.

He would be claimed by the Titans shortly after he was waived by the Chiefs heading into the 2022 season. During the 2022 season with the Titans, Johnson Jr. appeared in 12 games. Johnson Jr. recorded 11 total tackles (five solo tackles) on the season. The veteran cornerback would receive interest from teams around the league after the 2022 season and he ended up signing with the Saints on a one-year deal.

How The Latest Signing Shapes Out the Cornerback Room:

Titans designate Lonnie Johnson to return from IR

Titans CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (20) – Getty Images

Johnson Jr. has seen action in the secondary and on special teams during his career in the NFL. He will be able to bring versatility to New Orleans as he has the ability to play multiple positions across the field. New Orleans’ secondary dealt with key injuries last season, so it is needed for the Saints to find some depth at the position. Marshon Lattimore was absent for most of the 2022 season as he was dealing with a lacerated kidney injury. Lattimore was able to step back on the field during the Saints’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but he was missed for most of the season.

Outside of Lattimore’s injury, the Saints saw production out of their rookie cornerback, Alontae Taylor. Taylor was able to have a sensational rookie season for New Orleans and he is quickly becoming one of the best young cover cornerbacks in the NFL. He has the playmaking ability and versatility that the Saints are lucky to have on their depth chart. Outside of Lattimore and Taylor, the other key cornerbacks on the roster are Paulson Adebo and Chris Harris Jr. Bradley Roby also stepped into the mix during the season and played a pivotal role for the Saints’ secondary.

With the signing of Johnson Jr., New Orleans will be able to use him in many different ways. He possesses all of the physical tools to be a starting cornerback for the Saints and he also has incredible length. Johnson Jr. has also shown that he can be a contributor in the special teams department with his ability to block kicks. The veteran cornerback has a work ethic that will fit well in any locker room and his aggressive play makes him a threat at the line of scrimmage. Johnson Jr. will be able to provide a piece to the puzzle in what is turning out to be a solid cornerback room heading into the 2023 season.