Will Johnson, a talented cornerback from Michigan, was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 47th overall choice in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, strengthening their secondary.

In a move that could reshape their defensive identity for years to come, the Arizona Cardinals selected Michigan standout cornerback Will Johnson with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Known for his physicality, ball skills, and high football IQ, Johnson instantly becomes a cornerstone addition to an Arizona secondary that desperately needed youthful energy and elite talent.

Before his name was called on draft night, Johnson had already built an impressive résumé in Ann Arbor. As a five-star recruit out of Grosse Pointe South High School in Michigan, Johnson arrived on campus with towering expectations — and he lived up to them from day one.

During his freshman year, Johnson became a starter halfway through the season and helped anchor one of the top defenses in the nation. Over his three-year career at Michigan, he amassed 8 interceptions, 25 pass deflections, and 95 tackles. His combination of size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds), speed, and refined technique made him a constant headache for opposing quarterbacks. Johnson wasn’t just good; he was dominant against some of the best receivers in the Big Ten and beyond.

Johnson’s collegiate success culminated in helping Michigan capture a national title during the 2023 season, where he famously recorded a key interception during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Scouts raved about his sticky man coverage skills, quick diagnosis of routes, and fearlessness when coming up to support the run — all traits that the Cardinals now hope will translate seamlessly into the NFL.

The Cardinals’ decision to select a cornerback early was no surprise to anyone familiar with the team’s needs entering the 2025 offseason. Arizona ranked 27th in the league against the pass in 2024, giving up big plays with alarming regularity. While safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson have been reliable pieces on the back end, the cornerback position remained a revolving door.

General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Head Coach Jonathan Gannon made it clear throughout the pre-draft process that fixing the secondary was a priority. With veteran Marco Wilson struggling to regain consistency and Antonio Hamilton aging, Arizona simply couldn’t afford another season of defensive collapses.

Will Johnson steps into a situation where he’ll have the opportunity — and perhaps the expectation — to contribute immediately. Gannon, a former defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator, is known for his hands-on work with young defensive backs, and Johnson could not have landed in a better environment to maximize his potential.

Johnson’s skill set fits perfectly with the Cardinals’ defensive philosophy. Gannon’s system relies heavily on aggressive, press-man coverage, with corners often left on islands to allow safeties and linebackers to be more aggressive in run support or blitz packages.

Few cornerbacks in this class were as adept at press-man coverage as Johnson. His long arms, physicality at the line of scrimmage, and ability to mirror receivers without drawing penalties set him apart. He’s also highly intelligent, a must in a scheme that asks corners to diagnose route combinations and adjust post-snap.

Gannon spoke about the selection shortly after the pick:

“Will Johnson checks every box we were looking for in a defensive back. He’s competitive, smart, physical, and battle-tested. We believe he can come in here, compete right away, and be a difference-maker for our defense.”

Strengths:

• Size and Athleticism: At 6’2″ with a 4.45 40-yard dash, Johnson has the rare physical tools to match up with any type of receiver, from shifty slot players to towering deep threats.
• Technical Refinement: Johnson’s footwork and hip fluidity are already at an NFL level, allowing him to stay glued to receivers throughout routes.
• Ball Skills: His background as a former wide receiver in high school shows when the ball is in the air; Johnson attacks the football rather than waiting for it.
• Football IQ: Johnson’s film study habits are well-documented, and he often anticipates routes based on formation and receiver tendencies.

Areas for Growth:

• Tackling Consistency: While willing in run support, Johnson occasionally takes poor angles and could improve his open-field tackling.
• Handling Elite Speed: Against ultra-fast receivers, he sometimes struggled with recovery if beaten initially, suggesting some minor work needed on maintaining leverage.
• Injury History: Johnson missed a few games during his sophomore season with a minor ankle injury, though there are no long-term concerns.

Overall, Johnson presents far more strengths than weaknesses, and in a league desperate for lockdown corners, he projects as an eventual No. 1 corner.

NFL scouts have compared Will Johnson to players like Marlon Humphrey and Patrick Surtain II — tall, athletic, technically sound corners capable of erasing top receivers. If he can achieve even 80% of what those players have accomplished, Arizona’s defense will be in much better shape moving forward.

For Cardinals fans, it’s important to temper expectations early. Rookie cornerbacks often endure a steep learning curve in the NFL. Quarterbacks are smarter, receivers are faster, and penalties are called differently than in college. Still, Johnson has shown throughout his young career an ability to rise to the challenge when the stakes are highest.

Assuming a smooth transition during training camp, Johnson could immediately slot in as a starter opposite Garrett Williams, last year’s promising third-round pick. That would allow Arizona to slide Marco Wilson into a more favorable third or fourth cornerback role and deepen their overall secondary rotation.

Projected depth chart:

• CB1: Will Johnson (Rookie)
• CB2: Garrett Williams (2nd Year)
• NB: Antonio Hamilton Jr. (Veteran slot corner)
• S1: Budda Baker
• S2: Jalen Thompson

This new-look secondary could offer the Cardinals a chance to play more aggressive, man-heavy coverage, something that was often missing from their game plans a season ago.

The pick was widely praised among analysts and former players:

• Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: “Will Johnson is a big-time talent. He was a top-15 player on my board. The Cardinals got a steal here in the middle of the second round.”
• Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: “Love the pick. Johnson’s technique and instincts are advanced for his age. He’ll be a staple in that defense for a long time.”
• Richard Sherman, Former NFL CB: “Arizona finally got a dog at corner. Will Johnson is going to surprise people immediately.”

Some commentators even suggested that Arizona’s draft as a whole — having also taken a franchise offensive tackle in the first round — signaled that the team was serious about building a sustainable foundation rather than making splashy but empty moves.

Shortly after being selected, Johnson spoke to the media in a Zoom call:

“I’m beyond excited to be a Cardinal. Coach Gannon’s vision for the defense matches how I love to play — fast, aggressive, and smart. I can’t wait to get to work and prove that I belong.”

He also added:

“I know nothing will be handed to me. I’ve got to earn everything. But that’s how I’ve always approached football. I’m ready to compete.”

Arizona will likely ease Johnson into the rotation during OTAs and training camp, but by the time the regular season kicks off, it would be a surprise if he’s not starting.

Statistical projections for his rookie year:

• 60–70 tackles
• 3–5 interceptions
• 12–15 pass breakups

More important than raw stats, however, will be Johnson’s ability to reduce big plays and lock down top receivers. If he can establish himself as a trusted, reliable presence on the outside, it will free up Gannon to call a much wider array of blitzes and exotic coverages.

The Cardinals are still building — they’re probably a year or two away from serious playoff contention — but the addition of a high-ceiling cornerback like Will Johnson accelerates that timeline. Pair him with a pass rush that’s slowly improving, and Arizona’s defense could quickly transform from a liability into a strength.

In Summary: The Cardinals entered the 2025 NFL Draft needing impact defenders, and they may have landed one of the very best in Will Johnson. With a rare combination of physical traits, mental makeup, and competitive fire, Johnson has all the tools necessary to become a star. For a franchise eager to establish a new identity under Gannon and Ossenfort, Johnson isn’t just a pick — he’s a building block.