A few months ago, the idea that Michigan football cornerback Will Johnson wouldn't go in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft would have been crazy.
However, according to the final mock draft of NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, that's exactly what will happen in the annual NFL selection meeting.
My Final Mock Draft pic.twitter.com/X3pydWj5ce
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 24, 2025
At one time, Johnson was being talked about as a top-10 pick. Before an injury-riddled junior season, some even had him in the discussion as the top overall prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback started for Michigan football midway through his freshman season for the Wolverines and finished his career with nine interceptions, as well as 10 pass breakups, and three interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Johnson has two of those this season. One of them came against USC. Another against Fresno State. Johnson also had a key interception in the 2023 Ohio State game which set up a touchdown for Michigan football.
The cornerback from Detroit, Michigan, also had a critical interception in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Yet, Johnson was limited to just six games in 2024 after playing in 26 his first two seasons. The injury has lingered into the offseason. He wasn't able to work out at the NFL draft combine or Michigan's Pro Day.
Johnson held his own workout for NFL teams, but he hasn't run well, so his draft stock is falling. Jeremiah has him falling out of the first round completely. I don't see him making it past the Green Bay Packers, but after dealing with Jaire Alexander, maybe they are weary of an injury prone cornerback.
I don't believe that's Johnson. He's the best cornerback in this draft. Watch him cover Marvin Harrison Jr. if you don't believe me. Speed shouldn't be a concern. Johnson is a world-class athlete when healthy and if he falls out of the first round -- hell, if he falls out of the top 20, that will be an absolute steal for some lucky NFL team.