The Arizona Cardinals lack a clear-cut number one cornerback, and there is no better way of addressing needs than the draft. With the 47th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected Will Johnson.
Will Johnson had a great career with Michigan
Will Johnson committed to the Michigan Wolverines as a four-star recruit for the 2022 season. Johnson had a great career with Michigan, instantly becoming a starter in his true freshman season. He recorded 68 tackles, nine interceptions, three pick-sixes, and ten pass deflections in 32 games. His accolades include a True Freshman American Team in 2022, First-Team All-Big-10, First-Team All-American, and Defensive MVP of the National Championship, and a National Champion in 2023, and Third-Team All-American in 2024.
Johnson was having an impressive junior year before an injury cut short his season. He recorded 14 tackles, two interceptions, two pick-sixes, and three pass deflections in six games. He missed one game with a shoulder injury and their final six with turf toe.
Will Johnson’s combine measurements
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Weight: 194 pounds
- Arm Size: 30 1/8″
- Hand Length: 9 1/8″
Lance Zierlein’s scouting report
“Teams love big, fluid cornerbacks with ball production and that is exactly what Johnson offers. He’s instinctive and plays with good body control and change of direction in space. He can play man coverage, but he’s at his best when playing with his eyes forward instead of chasing routes downfield.
“Johnson displays good pre-snap recognition and can read and anticipate routes/throws at a high level. While he plays the role of thief in coverage, he needs to balance that mentality with a healthy respect for NFL route-runners, as he might lack the recovery speed to close the distance at a desired rate.
“He has coveted traits and his areas of concern fail to stand out as impediments for what could become a long, successful career as a future Pro Bowler.”
He predicts he has boom-or-bust potential.
