2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Johnson

Will Johnson (CB – Michigan)

6-foot-2 | 202 Pounds

Background

Will Johnson is a Detroit native whose father also played cornerback for the Wolverines. A five-star recruit who played nearly 500 snaps (five starts) as a true freshman, finishing with 27 tackles, three interceptions and three breakups. Had a similar line of 27 tackles, four interceptions and four breakups the following year. Ended up missing time due to a minor shoulder injury and then a turf toe that ended his 2024 season after just six games. Finished with 14 tackles, two pick-sixes and three breakups.

Positives

Productive player for one of college football’s premier programs over the past two and a half years. Johnson has all the size and length teams look for in a boundary cornerback. Plays a lot of off-zone coverage, with a lot of shuffle technique, usually from the short side of the field. Does a nice job of getting low and showing controlled footwork when backpedaling. Long-strider who looks smooth and rangy when playing shuffle.

Johnson takes a conservative approach to off-coverage, with patient diagnostic skills to avoid getting caught out of his position. Was asked to process a lot of route combinations. Does a nice job of keeping things in front of him to limit big plays. Knows when to break off of an underneath route to help over the top on high-low concepts. Snappy transitions to driving on a spot when the receiver breaks, with the length to break up passes.

Able to come down to the line of scrimmage and use his length and strength to jam releases. Uses his hands well to feel routes and stay connected in man. Athletically, has loose hips and impressive speed to stick with opponents through the stem and down the field if needed. Dangerous with the ball in his hands, having scored touchdowns on three of his nine career interceptions. Length allows him to lock out blockers effectively in the run game. A physical hitter who can help set the tone defensively.

Negatives

Johnson was limited by injuries in his shortened 2024 campaign. Wasn’t asked to play a ton of man coverage, which complicates his evaluation for some teams. Even when lining up in press looks, it was often to bump and then work from zone coverage.

Doesn’t always show the most urgency in run support. Generally a relatively reliable tackler, but missed tackles ticked up this year. Can sometimes lapse into delivering hits rather than wrapping.

Summary

A big, long-limbed boundary cornerback who shows impressive patience, discipline and processing skills from the off-zone coverage he was most often asked to play in school. Because of his physical and athletic gifts, also looks like he should be able to succeed in man coverage and press-man coverage. However, the evaluation there is a bit more difficult due to the relative lack of snaps he put on tape in those capacities during the games reviewed.

While it would be nice to see Johnson show a bit more consistent urgency in run support, his rare traits, schematic versatility and relatively polished game likely make him a high first-round pick.

Projection: Round 1

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