Tampa Bay Buccaneers Acquire George Johnson

(Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports)

The Detroit Lions have agreed to send defensive end George Johnson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth round pick. Tampa Bay also receives a seventh round pick, which was previously required in the Haloti Ngata trade.

Johnson was restricted free agent, who signed a three-year, $9 million dolar deal with the Bucs. The Lions argued about the structure of the deal, which led to the NFL assigning an independent arbitrator to look into the case. It seems the Lions moved on, trading Johnson and receiving a fifth round pick in the process.

The Lions defensive line has been torn apart by free agency, as they have already lost defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh (MIA) and Nick Fairley (STL). Even with the addition of former Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the Lions still have a lot of work to do for their defensive front. No to mention the draft is full of very talented prospects.

Johnson totaled 29 tackles and six sacks last season. He provided the Lions with a very dangerous pass rusher to go along with dominant front that was Suh, Fairley, and Ezekiel Ansah. Johnson has played for the Bucs before, as they signed him as an undrafted free agent back in 2010. He spent three years there before a one-year stint with the Vikings, leading up to his breakout year with the Lions in 2014. Johnson will enter his fifth year and is only 27-years-old.

While the Lions defense is slowly being torn apart, the Buccaneers will have a scary defense come next season. Their defensive will consist of All-Pros Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy. Their secondary is loaded with talent as well.  Alterraun Verner, Jonathan Banks and Dashon Goldson have been playing very well lately, limiting wide receivers in every way they can.

Johnson will fit well on the line and provide a physical force to go against the opponents offensive line.