The Miami Dolphins announced on Mar. 13 the signing of veteran safety Lonnie Johnson Jr., a player with seven years of experience in the National Football League. Johnson Jr., originally a second-round pick by the Houston Texans, played the 2025 season with the Las Vegas Raiders and has appeared in 92 career games, including 22 starts. Over his career, he has recorded 224 tackles, four interceptions, and 17 passes defensed.
Johnson Jr.’s versatility is seen as an asset for the Dolphins. He began his college career as a cornerback at the University of Kentucky before transitioning to safety in the NFL. Last season with the Raiders, he split time between several positions on defense, including free safety, wide cornerback, slot defender, and playing near the line of scrimmage. Despite playing only 321 snaps last year, he made 25 tackles.
His journey to professional football included stops at San Bernardino Valley College and Garden City Community College before transferring to Kentucky. This path is described as one built on hard work and perseverance. Johnson Jr.’s resilience was further tested during his NFL career when a training camp injury limited his participation in 2025. He returned to play three months later and appeared in every game for the remainder of that season, starting in its final two contests.
Off the field, Johnson Jr. credits his family and faith as sources of motivation during challenging times. He has publicly acknowledged his wife for her support during his recovery from injury last season.
The Dolphins encourage fans seeking more analysis on their new acquisitions to listen to their Drive Time podcast.
