Buddy Johnson

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		32	28	—	—
2025		13	14	0.0	0
2024		14	8	0.0	0
2023		2	4

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This signing grades out as a significant overpay for the Las Vegas Raiders — the team is paying more than the on-field production currently warrants. Buddy's on-field performance ranks in the lower half among NFL LBs, grading him as a rotational player at the position. His $1.1M average annual value ranks as minimum-level money for the LB market. The concern here is the gap between production and cost — rotational player output at minimum-level money means the team is paying a premium above the player's on-field value. Buddy is squarely in his prime, which adds to the deal's upside — the team should get multiple productive seasons out of this contract. The 1-year, $1.1M deal keeps the commitment short, giving the team financial flexibility to move on if performance drops.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Buddy's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Buddy Johnson grades a D performance mark, with his modest tackling output anchoring the read. The 27-year-old fifth-year veteran logged 14 tackles across 13 games in the 2025 season, marking the kind of limited production expected from a depth linebacker rotating through practice squads and reserve roles rather than commanding defensive snaps. His primary statistical strength is availability — appearing in 13 games demonstrates the durability teams value in a reserve linebacker — but the tackle total itself reflects minimal impact on the field, suggesting he's filling depth snaps without generating the kind of disruptive play that moves the needle in NFL evaluation. Johnson's core weakness is the absence of any statistical landmark or standout performance tier; 14 tackles over a full season's worth of games speaks to a player operating well below starter caliber, with little evidence of the kind of coverage instincts, run-stopping consistency, or special-teams dominance that would elevate him beyond organizational depth. His career profile, now five seasons in after a fourth-round 2021 draft selection, confirms what the recent transactional headlines suggest: he's a depth piece fighting to stay on rosters, not a sought-after free-agent target heading into 2026 camp competitions. The D grade reflects precisely what the tape and numbers indicate — a replacement-level linebacker whose value rests entirely on effort, reliability, and availability rather than on-field production or positional excellence.

How Buddy Compares at the Position

Buddy Johnson ranks 294th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Buddy between Tyler Batty (D) just ahead and John Bullock (D) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Buddy Johnson signing represents a modest depth addition for Las Vegas ahead of camp. Five headline reports frame this as routine roster management among three simultaneous signings. Johnson's veteran linebacker experience offers competent rotation depth, lacking star power or immediate impact. Fans view this pragmatically—a low-profile camp body move rather than a statement acquisition. Raiders likely cycling through options to solidify linebacker rotation before final roster cuts.