Will Johnson: The Steal of the NFL Draft — Michigan’s Star Cornerback Poised for Pro Dominance
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When NFL front offices passed on Will Johnson through the early picks of the 2025 Draft, some believed it was due to scheme fit or positional priority. Others whispered concerns about depth in the cornerback class. But weeks into his rookie camp, it’s clear now: those teams didn’t just make a mistake—they may have passed on the next great shutdown corner. Will Johnson, the former Michigan Wolverines standout, is rapidly earning the title of the steal of the NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Johnson brings a rare blend of size, agility, and football IQ that NFL scouts crave. His frame is built for physical press coverage, and his feet—fluid, quick, and efficient—allow him to mirror receivers with ease. It’s a package that showed itself clearly in Ann Arbor, where Johnson locked down Big Ten receivers weekly and helped Michigan secure a national title in 2024. Now, he’s doing the same against NFL veterans in training camp.
Drafted in the late first round—shockingly low for a player of his caliber—Johnson has already taken first-team reps during preseason practices, reportedly blanketing top receivers and earning praise from coaches and teammates alike. One AFC executive reportedly said, “He looks like a five-year vet. The instincts, the confidence, the way he diagnoses plays—it’s all elite. We missed on him. No doubt.”
His college résumé alone should’ve warranted top-10 consideration. In two years as a starter, Johnson amassed 8 interceptions, 24 pass breakups, and allowed a completion percentage of just 37% when targeted. But numbers tell only part of the story. What made Johnson special was his ability to erase WR1s and rise to the moment. Against Ohio State, he baited a Heisman-contending quarterback into a game-changing pick-six. In the national title game, he held a future first-round receiver to just one catch for 12 yards.
Now, in the NFL, Johnson is channeling that same mentality—focused, unshaken, and hungry. His interviews echo humility and professionalism: “I’m just here to do my job, get better every day, and help this team win,” he told reporters during camp. But his play says even more. His footwork is surgical. His hips are loose. And his hands are disciplined, rarely drawing flags even when playing physical press-man coverage.
For a franchise that landed him in the 20s or beyond, Johnson represents unmatched value. He’s not just a cornerback—they may have landed a future Defensive Rookie of the Year, a cornerstone piece in the secondary for a decade.
Some steals take years to emerge. With Will Johnson, the truth is already clear: the league slept, and he’s about to make them pay.
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