Cardinals’ Will Johnson motivated more than ever after slide down NFL Draft

TEMPE — Taking chances in the NFL Draft isn’t anything new for the Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and the current regime.

Two years ago, they took a gamble on a pair of third-round picks in Garrett Williams and Michael Wilson.

Williams at the time was still recovering from a torn ACL. Wilson had dealt with multiple injuries during his time at Stanford.

Fast forward to 2025, and Williams is cemented as the team’s nickel cornerback and is coming off his best season as a pro.

Wilson meanwhile was Arizona’s WR2 last year and is expected to assume that role once more in 2025. he also appeared in all but one game as a second-year pro, a big plus given the injuries he’s worked through over the years.

For what they’ve already contributed to the franchise, the gamble is paying off for Arizona.

Now, Arizona is banking on history repeating itself after adding Michigan cornerback Will Johnson during Day 2 of the draft (No. 47 overall).

And based on Johnson’s reaction to falling from a projected Day 1 talent to second-round pick — due in large part to injury concerns — the rookie’s even hungrier to make that a reality.

“It’s just one of the things that motivates you more than anything else,” Johnson, whose frustration from slipping down the draft order was noticeable during his teleconference interview. “I know what type of player I am.

“I’m just happy to be where I am now. I’m going to give my all to Arizona and they’re going to get a great player. I promise that.”

Much like Williams, Johnson heads to Arizona with recent injury history.

After picking up a shoulder issue early into his final season at Michigan, Johnson suffered a turf toe injury midway through the season and did not return to action.

His season came to a close after just six games, though he still registered two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), three passes defensed and 14 tackles.

A hamstring issue that held him out of the NFL Draft Combine and reported knee concerns have since crept up during the draft process. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Johnson currently has no pain or swelling in that knee.

Johnson, however, remains adamant he’s past the injuries.

“They’re saying things about my knee and I haven’t really dealt with it in two years,” the cornerback said. “So that’s definitely frustrating, but it’s all good. I’m at where I’m supposed to be and I’m just happy to be a Cardinal now.”

“I know what I’m dealing with and I know I’m healthy,” he added. “I know how my body feels. I’m just going to go out there and show that on Sundays and show everybody else what they missed out on.”

Ossenfort backed up that thinking following Day 2 of the draft, saying the team underwent the same extensive process they do with all prospects and were good with Johnson’s results.

Will Johnson gives Cardinals secondary a premium outside option

If Johnson is truly passed his injury issues, he very well could be the steal of the NFL Draft given what he could provide to Arizona’s secondary.

At 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Johnson measures in as one of the Cardinals’ biggest cornerbacks on the roster. Second-year pro Elijah Jones is the only Arizona cornerback listed over 6-foot-1.

And his ability to play along the outside, an area the Cardinals could use some help in, cannot be overstated.

Before his final season at Michigan was ruined due to injuries, Johnson racked up 45 tackles, seven picks and seven passes defensed across 26 games played from 2022-23.

For his efforts, he took home Freshman All-American honors in 2022 and was a First Team All-Big Ten pick the following season.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon dives into what stands out with rookie cornerback Will Johnson: pic.twitter.com/KSIkPv74iV

— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 26, 2025

“Elite coverage instincts,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday when asked what stands out about Johnson. “Really like his ability to play the ball. He’s long, he’s a bigger guy, very smart, very instinctive, tough.

“And then I like his ability that he can walk up and challenge people and then play off as well and see the quarterback. This guy’s as smart as they come now, so really excited for him to come in here and compete.”

He got it done on the biggest stage in 2023, too, recording an interception in Michigan’s National Championship win over Washington.

As NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein said when reviewing Johnson’s draft stock this offseason:

He has coveted traits and his areas of concern fail to stand out as impediments for what could become a long, successful career as a future Pro Bowler.

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