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NFL Draft 2025: Former Michigan DB Will Johnson selected on Day 2
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If not for injury concerns, Will Johnson might have been a first-round pick.
Even with a knee issue that reportedly spooked several NFL front offices, Johnson wasn’t going to sit on the board for too long. And on Friday night, with the 15th pick of the second round (47th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected the former Michigan man.
The 6-foot-2, 194-pound cornerback out of Detroit was once viewed as a likely top-10 draft choice. In 2023, he was an All-American and the defensive MVP of Michigan’s national championship win over Washington. But an injury-riddled year in 2024 depreciated his value and dropped Johnson out of the first round on Thursday night.
Johnson becomes the fourth former Wolverine to be selected in this year’s draft. Teammates Mason Graham (fifth overall), Colston Loveland (10th), and Kenneth Grant (13th) were each selected in the opening round on Thursday.
In the 2022 class, Johnson was rated as a 5-star prospect and viewed as one of the best high school recruits in his class.
He made an immediate impact with the Wolverines as a freshman, starting 5 times while recording 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, and 2 tackles for loss to earn a Freshman All-American selection.
The following season, Johnson stepped into a featured role at corner and turned in a season worthy of a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He missed time with various injuries throughout the year, but still managed 4 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and 27 tackles in 12 appearances for a Michigan team that claimed the national championship.
In 2024, Johnson was limited to just 6 games. He was remarkably productive in those appearances, with 5 pass breakups and 2 picks, but injuries were once again a concern. Shoulder and toe injuries caused him to miss 7 total games — including the Wolverines’ final 6.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, several NFL teams were concerned about a knee issue. Johnson had what was referred to at the time as a minor scope following the 2022 season, and that procedure forced him to miss the first 2 games of the 2023 season.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.