Ranked as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation, Michigan Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson did everything to cement his 2025 NFL Draft stock in the 2024 college football season.
As a major piece to the Wolverines tough, star-studded defense, Johnson’s lockdown corner ability showcases itself time and time again as he made quarterbacks pay if they looked his way. That was evident with a Pick-6 against Fresno State in the Wolverines’ season-opener and another Pick-6 against USC.
The latter marked Johnson’s third pick-6 in his career, setting a program record. In all, Johnson totaled the 2 INTs along with 3 passes defensed on the season. If not for Travis Hunter and his stellar performance, Johnson would be the top corner entering the 2025 NFL Draft. Some scout expects could still have him as the top corner given his awareness on defense and versatility to dominate in both press-man coverage and different zone looks.
2025 NFL Draft: Will Johnson is an NFL lockdown cornerback in the making
After declaring for the NFL Draft in early December, Johnson leaves Michigan as one of their best defenders. Not only did he set the school record with 3 Pick-6’s, but he also has many accolades under his belt, including All-American honors as both a sophomore and junior as well as being named MVP of the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2024.
Although the Wolverines followed up that national championship with an 8-5 season, the defense was championship caliber. With top prospect talent like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant anchoring the front seven, Johnson held it down in the secondary as opposing quarterbacks feared to throw it his way.
Prior to the 2024 season, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid was already singing the praises of Johnson, seeing him as a corner who could go at the top of the draft.
“We’ve never seen a cornerback being selected at the top of the draft (common draft era, since 1967),” Reid wrote. “So yeah, the odds are extremely stacked against Johnson. But if there were a CB who could challenge for that feat, he’d be a strong contender. In 2022, Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner were picked with back-to-back selections at Nos. 3 and 4. Johnson is that caliber of corner prospect.”
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That could be the case in the 2025 NFL Draft with Hunter and Johnson potentially going in the top 5 or at the very least within the top 10 of the draft.
3 interesting NFL fits for Will Johnson
There are various NFL teams who could use a top corner, but there are only a handful of teams in a position to select a player like Johnson. Here are 3 teams who could find themselves choosing between Hunter and Johnson near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: If Hunter goes in the top 3, the Jaguars will be in prime position to select the Michigan Wolverines star. Johnson with his skillset and versatility in the secondary would instantly upgrade a Jaguars’ secondary that was dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed with 257.4. Obviously, the Johnson can’t solve the secondary alone, but he’d be a solid building block for the Jags.
- Indianapolis Colts: The Colts were also in the bottom 10 in the NFL in passing yards allowed with 229.4. In simple terms, the Colts must get better in the secondary and Johnson would help them immediately. Other than slot corner Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis lacks star power and consistency at the position. Unfortunately, for the Colts they are selecting outside the top 10 and will have to hope a player like Johnson slides to them or they may have to trade up to get him.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders are a team that will be in position to land Will Johnson, but other needs like quarterback could shift Vegas in a different direction. If they stand pat, Johnson is the perfect fit to upgrade their secondary. His high football IQ and overall awareness on defense could be key in an AFC West that has some of the NFL’s top QB talent. If the Raiders can’t get their franchise signal caller, the second best thing is getting a player who could be a lockdown force against the other QB’s in the division.