Has Will Johnson Been Drafted? What’s Next For Michigan CB After Injury-Related First-Round Slide

Will Johnson, a standout cornerback from Michigan, was once seen as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Many experts expected him to be picked early in the first round because of his strong college performance. 

However, the medical evaluation during the NFL Draft turned out to be a nightmare for him, as his stock dropped immediately afterward. The slide finally stopped at Pick No. 47 when the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the 15th pick of the second round.

Why Did Michigan CB Will Johnson Slide So Far? A Look at the 2nd Round Defensive Back’s Selection

Will Johnson, one of the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft, was once projected to be a top-10 pick. But surprisingly, he slipped out of the first round. NFL teams reportedly had concerns about his knee, an issue that came up during medical evaluations. 

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that the knee problem stemmed from Johnson’s surgery before the 2023 season. This surgery caused him to miss the first three games of Michigan’s national title-winning season.

Johnson addressed the situation on Twitter, writing, “Michigan CB Will Johnson Jr. has a knee issue that has concerned some NFL teams, which helps explain why he still hasn’t been selected.” 

The worries only grew when Johnson missed much of the 2024 season due to injuries, including turf toe. His absence from both the NFL Scouting Combine and Michigan’s Pro Day made it harder for him to prove his skills to scouts.

These factors led to the two-time All-American being overlooked in the first round. While the knee issue isn’t expected to affect his performance immediately, NFL teams were mainly concerned about his long-term health and durability.

Will Johnson Selected 47th Overall by Arizona Cardinals

Even though Will Johnson slipped out of the first round, he’s still one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. The Arizona Cardinals jumped on this opportunity, hoping to bolster their secondary.

At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, he brings size, speed, and confidence to the field. In college, he even shut down top receivers like future teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. That kind of talent is hard to ignore.

KEEP READING: Day 2 NFL Mock Draft Rounds 2 & 3: Shedeur Sanders to Cleveland, Will Johnson to Vegas

Plus, Pro Football Focus still ranks him as the No. 14 overall prospect. That shows he’s more than capable of making an immediate impact in the NFL, and those injury concerns seem more like excuses than real issues.