ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A key piece of the Bills defense picked up a major honor Friday.
The Associated Press today named Bills cornerback Taron Johnson to the All-Pro 2nd team at the slot cornerback position.
For Johnson, it marks a special moment as he picks up the first All-Pro selection of his career.
"I mean, it's definitely been a journey," Johnson said. There's been times that I've been benched. It's just, it's a blessing, I'm just thankful. I'm lost for words."
The sixth-year defensive back out of Weber State has been a stalwart in the Bills secondary, recording 72 tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and eight passes defended. Pro Football Focus calculated Johnson as having 23 pass stops, most among NFL defensive backs.
Bills coach Sean McDermott said: "He is one of our most consistent players. He's got that 'I may be not as gifted with my measurables with his size and height', but you talk about the size of a guy's heart and he plays that way every play and every game that he's out there."
On top of his on field contributions, McDermott lauded what Johnson brings to the Bills' locker room.
"Again, I mentioned the other day about Khalil (Shakir), having the respect and admiration in that locker room. Taron Johnson is another one, and I think that's a great quality as a player and as a teammate," McDermott said.
Johnson is the only Bill named to the All-Pro team this year, and it's also the first year that slot corners have a spot on the 1st and the 2nd team. Chiefs' cornerback Trent McDuffie earned the 1st team nod at slot corner.
"To be honest, I didn't even really see this happening, so them adding that spot is huge for guys like me," Johnson said. "It's an opportunity for guys to be put out there that usually may not get that look."
Johnson will look to keep his standout season going when he and the Bills take on the Steelers on Sunday at 1 p.m.