After being projected as a first-round selection leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson wasn’t taken until the second round with the No. 47 pick by the Arizona Cardinals.
That didn’t sit well with the two-time All-American, who had plenty to say about his slide — and the 31 teams that passed on him.
“They gon have to pay for this sh--, I promise you. Arizona finna get a dawg,” Johnson said.
While Johnson’s second-round selection wasn’t how he envisioned starting his pro career, ESPN’s Matt Miller says it makes him one of the biggest sleepers of the draft, ranking him as the No. 2 overall steal.
“Johnson was a top-10 player in this class when looking solely at film and not accounting for injuries. While he didn’t want to slip to Round 2, Jonathan Gannon’s system is a great fit for him,” Miller wrote. “Johnson has Trevon Diggs-esque ball-hawking skills and is a shutdown corner when healthy. This is one of the steals of the draft as far as value, as he was taken 40 spots lower than I had him ranked.”
Miller had Johnson pegged to go to the Green Bay Packers at No. 23 overall, noting that medical concerns might drop him into the late 20s. Still, no one quite expected him to fall as far as he did, especially being compared to the Dallas Cowboys $97 million corner.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it was knee issues that raised red flags for teams in the days leading up to the draft.
Johnson was a key part of Michigan’s national championship-winning defense in 2023. Over three seasons in Ann Arbor, he totaled 68 tackles, four tackles for loss, and nine interceptions — three of which he returned for touchdowns.
If he can stay healthy and perform like he did in college, the Cardinals may have added another high-impact piece to what’s become a strong foundation built through the last few drafts.