The revenge tour starts now for Cardinals’ Will Johnson

TEMPE — Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson would be lying if the rookie said he didn’t think about his NFL Draft skid.

“It will always be in the back of my head for sure,” the cornerback said Wednesday.

Armed with that added fuel paired with what he put on tape at Michigan, Johnson hasn’t wasted any time shooting up the depth chart.

In the first week of training camp, Johnson was already firmly in a cornerback rotation that included starters Max Melton and Starling Thomas V.

Losing Thomas to a torn ACL early on into camp only propped up Johnson that much more as a potential key contributor heading into the regular season.

He’s taking the added food on his plate in stride, with plenty of coaches and teammates lauding his football IQ.

Getting a front row seat to the school of Budda Baker helps, too.

Cardinals rookie Will Johnson’s spot in the meeting room this year?

Right next to vet Budda Baker. pic.twitter.com/eUNySeUhSJ

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 4, 2025

“Will’s a great rookie, great player. He understands it,” Baker said Thursday. “He sits next to me in meeting rooms. I definitely try to question him. … He’s a very smart player. Very excited for him. A guy who came from Michigan. He came from playing big games. I just told him, ‘This is the NFL. As long as you know your job, you got here for a reason.’ Definitely excited for him playing in a real football game in the NFL.”

Johnson has laid the proper foundation through offseason work, training camp and preseason.

Now, it’s about truly proving the doubters wrong and flexing the attributes that once had him in the first-round conversation months prior.

It’s not just for his trajectory as a player, either.

There’s a good chance offensive guru Kellen Moore has the rookie in his crosshairs as an exploitable piece to Arizona’s revamped defense.

Spencer Rattler, however, isn’t a proven commodity by any means. There’s bound to be opportunities for Johnson to come down with a pass, especially if the upgraded front seven does its job and brings the chaos.

Getting that confidence level up early could do wonders in his continued growth.

Another day of prep for Cardinals cornerbacks Max Melton and Will Johnson. pic.twitter.com/Jn2qtKJDgB

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 5, 2025

Which other Cardinals could use a hot start in 2025?

It’s not just Johnson who could use a fast start in New Orleans, though.

Right there with Johnson at the top of the list is defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

The lineman once again turned in a strong training camp and has been a constant point of emphasis for coaches and teammates. And with no calf injury in sight, he won’t have to start the season on the shelf like he did in 2024 — or rookie Walter Nolen III this year.

For Robinson, it’s all about making up for lost time after appearing in just six games last year.

“Darius had a rough year last year with everything he had to deal with off the field. To see him be able to push through that and be able to get some time on the field … and seeing how he approached the offseason, training camp and the preseason … we’re excited,” general manager Monti Ossenfort told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Friday.

“There’s a reason why we were attracted to Darius and thought he’d be a good fit for our defense. Being able to see him out there performing when he’s at his best is something we’re all looking forward to. Really think Darius is going to bring a lot of value to our defense and create disruptive plays in both the run and the pass game.”

And yes, after all the talk this offseason about chemistry and bulking up, it’s on Marvin Harrison Jr. to prove the chatter ahead of his expected Year 2 jump was more than just noise coming out of Cards camp.

Week 1 against a lowly Saints secondary is definitely the place to start.

Rounding out the list is offensive lineman Isaiah Adams.

The young lineman earned his starting role at right guard throughout the offseason.

But with Will Hernandez waiting in the wings, Adams can’t afford to take a step back when the bullets go live.

We all know what Hernandez, who hasn’t practiced fully this week, brought to the table as a Cardinals starter.

It’s on Adams to prove he’s the answer now and down the line. Week 1 marks the first opportunity to do so.

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