Carolina acquired defensive end Darryl Johnson from Buffalo…
Carolina acquired defensive end Darryl Johnson from Buffalo for a 2022 sixth-round pick, hoping to add size and special-teams help before the 2021 season. Buffalo used that selection at No. 185 on cornerback Christian Benford. Benford developed into a starting-caliber defensive back and later earned a four-year extension, turning a depth-player sale into a major long-term return for the Bills.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 2022 6th round pick (185th overall, Christian Benford)
Carolina Panthers Received
- player Darryl Johnson
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Carolina sent Buffalo a 2022 sixth-round pick for Darryl Johnson shortly before the 2021 season. The Panthers were buying an experienced defensive end and special-teams contributor, while Buffalo was clearing a crowded position group and banking a future selection. The Bills eventually used that pick, No. 185 overall, on Villanova cornerback Christian Benford.
Why the Value Separated
That draft result created the separation. Johnson offered Carolina depth, but he did not become a long-term defensive piece. Benford did. He grew from a sixth-round selection into a regular starter in Buffalo's secondary, combining physical coverage with run support. By 2025, the Bills valued him enough to sign him to a four-year extension through 2029, a remarkable return on a pick acquired for a reserve defender.
How the Deal Aged
The timing also favors Buffalo. The Bills were able to trade from a position of surplus and wait one season for the draft capital, while Carolina spent the pick for a short-term roster need. Late-round choices normally carry uncertain odds, so the trade itself was defensible for the Panthers. Once Benford became a proven starter, however, the historical value gap became too large to ignore.
Final Verdict
Buffalo earns an A because it converted a non-core player into a long-term starter at a premium position. Carolina's D+ reflects the limited duration and impact of Johnson compared with what the surrendered pick became. The Bills did not merely win the pick swap on paper; they turned it into a cornerstone-level secondary return at sixth-round cost.