The NFL Draft featured its fair share of surprises, but it was Shedeur Sanders falling all the way to the fifth round that truly took the cake.
Will Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan, was projected to be a top-10 pick heading into last season. However, a year plagued by injuries caused him to slide in the draft. While Johnson’s drop wasn’t as steep as Sanders’, the Arizona Cardinals may have landed the steal of the draft.
“The Arizona Cardinals selected the defensive back with the 47th overall pick. If Johnson stays on the field, the Cards may have gotten the steal of the draft since the 2023 national champion was considered the class’ best pure cornerback prospect,” Tanner Tortorella wrote.
Johnson was widely expected to go in the first round—it was just a matter of which team would take him. Colin Cowherd believed the Saints were a likely destination.
“They moved off Marcus Lattimore, sending him to the Commanders last season, so they need a No. 1 corner. I think [Johnson's] great. He was hurt at Michigan, but I think he starts for everybody in the NFL. … I think Will Johnson is an exceptional player,” Cowherd said.
Adam Schefter reported the reason for Johnson’s slide after the first night of the draft.
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“Michigan CB Will Johnson Jr. has a knee issue that has concerned some NFL teams and helps explain why he still has not been selected,” Schefter posted.
Despite the medical concerns, the Cardinals saw no issue with Johnson’s knee when they selected him in the second round. Johnson had a clear message for the 31 teams that passed on him, warning they’ll regret their decision.
“They gon have to pay for this sh*t, I promise you. Arizona finna get a dawg,” Johnson said.
When healthy, Johnson was arguably the best cornerback prospect in the entire draft. If he can stay on the field, he has every chance to make good on his promise.