The Dallas Cowboys admittedly regretted losing nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis last offseason, and new defensive coordinator Christian Parker is expected to prioritize filling the void coming from a defense that features All-Pro cornerback Cooper DeJean at nickel.

The good news? A perfect opportunity for the Cowboys to address the need just emerged leading up to next week’s free agency frenzy. And they don’t have to wait for Monday to get here.

All-Pro nickel made available by AFC foe

As the Buffalo Bills aim to clear cap space ahead of the 2026 season, they’re releasing second-team All-Pro cornerback Taron Johnson, who earned a $30 million contract in 2024. Johnson spent eight seasons with the Bills, but with a new defensive scheme expected in Buffalo, he’s now out of the picture.

And here’s the thing: The Cowboys should be all over Johnson.

Even though age will be a factor (Johnson will be 30 years old next season), he could come in and immediately fill the team’s vacancy at nickel. Johnson is everything you want in a slot cornerback, even if his prime is behind him and he has missed nine games in the past two seasons.

He is a solid tackler capable of fitting the run thanks to his explosion inside the box. He’s also reliable in coverage and fits Parker’s search for versatile football players.

Is Johnson the kind of player who will come in as a long-term answer for the Cowboys? No. But he can help reduce Dallas’ need for a nickel ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft.

At this point of his career, Johnson can likely be acquired for a one-year deal worth near $5 million. And the best part? Since he’s being released, the Cowboys don’t necessarily have to wait until Monday, when NFL teams can first negotiate with players with expiring contracts ahead of new New League Year.

More on Johnson’s departure from Buffalo

For more context on why the Bills are parting ways with Johnson, I reached out to our own Bills expert at A to Z Sports, Adam Zientek.

Zientek: “At one point, Taron Johnson could widely be considered the best nickel cornerback in the game. The former All-Pro was responsible for one of the greatest moments in Buffalo playoff history with a pick-six against Lamar Jackson that will live with the Bills Mafia forever.

“He started in 87 games for Buffalo, but with a new system under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, his future in Buffalo was in doubt. There were brief talks about him even switching positions to become a safety, with the Bills running less out of the nickel in the new defensive scheme.

“While he’s had an outstanding career with the Buffalo Bills, injuries affected his play in 2025, and he saw a drop in production as a result. He just wasn’t an All-Pro version of himself, and with the Bills being cap-strapped and Leonhard’s arrival, the decision was surprising but wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Buffalo frees up a little under $2 million with the decision, and they’ll need that extra money after recently trading for DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears.

“One thing is for certain: this defense is going to play vastly differently from the one under former head coach Sean McDermott. For a team looking for Johnson’s services, the sky is the limit, and they could be adding a very nice addition to the defense if they choose to bite.”

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