Will Johnson had to endure some waiting, but eventually his name was announced on Friday.
The defensive back, who earned All-America honors twice, was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the 15th selection of the second round, which equates to the 47th pick overall, concluding a descent that witnessed Johnson drop during the 2025 NFL Draft.
At one point, Johnson was expected to be selected within the first 10 picks, however, worries regarding his knee injuries affected how NFL teams perceived his long-term potential, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Johnson was present at the draft event held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he appeared alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to celebrate this significant moment.
Originally from Detroit, Johnson spent three years playing for Michigan, establishing himself as a tall, aggressive cornerback with the potential to make impactful plays anytime during the game.
In 2023, he began 22 out of the total 32 games and was a crucial player in securing Michigan’s national championship. During that season, he recorded four interceptions—highlighted by one for a touchdown—and eight pass deflections. Additionally, he earned the distinction of being the defensive Most Valuable Player in the championship match. His stellar performance led him to be recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.
Banking on another big year in 2024, he was unable to duplicate it. Johnson was sidelined during the second half of the season with turf toe, watching as Michigan struggled in Big Ten play. In six games, he made 14 tackles (one for a loss), had five pass breakups and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns. It was enough to convince NFL teams that he’s a first-round player, though his draft stock fell as the months wore on.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Johnson is considered best when in zone coverages and has help on the outside. His IQ and game preparation were among the best at Michigan, where teammates and coaches spoke of his dedication to watching film and jumping on opponent’s tendencies. He departed Ann Arbor with nine career interceptions and not having allowed a touchdown in coverage.
But Johnson lacks explosive speed that some elite corners have, electing not to run the 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process. He would get occasionally get beat in man-coverage and have trouble recovering.
Still, in the right defense, Johnson has the makings of being an elite cornerback at the NFL level. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has called Johnson “the best player on the board.”
“I feel like I’ve got a resume that speaks,” Johnson told MLive/ The Ann Arbor News in December.
A five-star recruit in high school, Johnson starred at Grosse Pointe South and was considered one of the best prospects in the country in 2022. He enrolled early at Michigan and became an immediate playmaker, starting five games as a true freshman.
Now he will need to demonstrate his abilities once more, but this time at the NFL level.
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