Will Johnson landing spots: Raiders, 49ers best fits for Michigan CB
Will Johnson entered the 2024 college football season in the running to be the top player selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Instead, he has become one of the more polarizing first-round prospects.
Johnson was productive during his time at Michigan. He logged nine interceptions and 10 pass defenses in 32 games, including two interceptions in 2024. However, his final college season was derailed by injuries that limited him to just six games and prevented him from working out at the 2025 NFL combine and Michigan's pro day.
This was proving problematic for Johnson, about whom teams already had speed questions. As such, he decided to schedule a workout to be held 10 days before the 2025 NFL draft to remind teams why he might be the best pure cornerback in the class.
Johnson could end up being a top-10 pick with a good workout, but it isn't clear how much a middling to poor one would damage his draft stock. Nonetheless, there are plenty of first-round landing spots for him. Below are six of the most notable.
Will Johnson landing spots
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders just released Jack Jones and don't have much proven talent in their secondary. They could use a true, No. 1 cornerback, and Johnson's physicality, instincts and size (6-2, 194 pounds) should allow him to slot into that role. Add in that he attended part-owner Tom Brady's alma mater, Michigan, and this could be a strong fit.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers briefly made Jaycee Horn the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL during the offseason. Johnson earned a comparison to Horn from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, so if the Panthers see the same similarities, they could be interested in the Michigan product. Carolina tends to improve larger cornerbacks for Ejiro Evero's defensive scheme, so Johnson may be a perfect fit for the Panthers.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers saw their top cornerback Charvarius Ward sign with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. They have top slot man Deommodore Lenoir and 2024 second-round pick Renardo Green on the roster, but they still need to find another outside starter. Johnson's size and ball skills are similar to that of Ward (6-1, 196 pounds) so he could be a like-for-like swap for the veteran.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins' starter across from Jalen Ramsey is currently projected to be either Storm Duck or Cam Smith. Johnson would be an upgrade over both and would create an imposing cornerback tandem with the 6-1 Ramsey.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals need help all over their defense. Cam Taylor-Britt fell out of favor at times last season and was benched, so adding another physical cornerback to the fray would be a good move. Cincinnati selected Michigan defensive backs Dax Hill and DJ Turner early in the 2022 and 2023 NFL drafts, so maybe they will go back to the Wolverine well to add a potential No. 1 cornerback.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers should represent Johnson's floor, as it's hard to imagine Pittsburgh passing on the big-bodied cornerback if he's available with the 21st selection. Darius Slay was signed to be a short-term stopgap starter across from Joey Porter Jr., so Johnson could be selected as his successor.