Once a surefire top-10 pick, this Michigan CB is now watching his draft stock slip. He’s still ranked as the second-best corner behind CU’s Travis Hunter, but here’s the twist—Hunter’s playing both ways in the NFL. That makes the Wolverines star the top pure corner in the draft. Projected top 15, he’s cool, not sweating the mocks. But all eyes are on Michigan’s March 21 pro day. His last shot to remind everyone why he was a lock. But a rough patch? It’s thrown everything off.
Skipping Combine drills, battling injuries, he’s under the microscope. And now, a hamstring issue? He’s missing the Wolverines’ Pro Day. Two crucial chances gone. His stock could tank without a confirmed workout. But there’s a glimmer of hope—a private workout on April 14th, says ESPN’s Jordan Reid. Can he pull it together? It’s all riding on that workout for Will Johnson.
Hope you didn’t forget; injuries have plagued his final college stretch. Last year, Johnson last suited up at home in Week 4 against USC, then played just 3 more games before exiting at halftime against Illinois. And he missed Michigan’s biggest matchups, the ReliaQuest Bowl against Bama and sitting out the OSU showdown. To be honest, with no reps at the Combine either, doubts are creeping in.
Despite the setbacks, Will Johnson is still making waves in the draft conversation. According to the latest B/R NFL Scouting mock draft, the New York Jets will select him at No. 7 overall. NFL Scout Cory Giddings sees star potential, saying, “Will Johnson projects as one of the top cornerbacks in this year’s draft, with the potential to be an impact player early in his NFL career.“ Honestly, while the talent is undeniable, now it’s about proving he’s worth the high pick.
Even without being fully healthy, Will Johnson is still turning heads in NFL circles. General managers love what they saw from his dominant sophomore season at Michigan. In 2023, he recorded 27 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups, solidifying himself as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. Despite limited action in 2024, Johnson still managed to grab two interceptions—one against USC and another against Fresno State. Additionally, the school record for most pick-sixes belongs to him.
Giddings broke it down, stating, “His combination of size, length, physicality, and versatility in coverage make him a valuable asset for any defensive scheme. While he will need to refine his change of direction and reduce his tendency to gamble in coverage, Johnson’s ability to disrupt plays both in the air and on the ground gives him a high ceiling. With proper coaching and development, Johnson can potentially become a top-tier defensive back in the NFL.”
Johnson’s still got that respect across the league, no doubt. Check it, he’s ranked 9th in the latest NFL Mock Draft consensus. And honestly, with his talent, it’s hard to believe these injuries will really tank his stock. He’s still super confident, not even worried about the post-Combine slide.
Will Johnson’s confidence unshaken
Every NFL Draft season, top prospects seem to take a hit—not because of their play, but due to ‘prospect fatigue.’ It’s a simple concept: when a player has dominated for so long, fans and analysts start looking for the next big thing. And this spring, Will Johnson is feeling the effects. As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, his stock is slipping—not because of talent, but because people are searching for the next flashy name.
Michigan’s star corner? Totally unfazed. Johnson’s oozing confidence, shutting down any doubters with a single question. At the NFL Combine, when someone asked about his speed, he fired back, “Have you ever seen somebody run away from me?” Bold, right? And the room just went silent. Nobody—analyst, scout, media—had a comeback.
Now, here’s the thing: we didn’t see Johnson run at all in Indianapolis. Even though he said he’s fully recovered from that toe injury, the 6-foot-2, 202-pounder sat out the drills. Instead, he plans to run the 40-yard dash at Michigan’s pro day. As Johnson put it, “I’m not participating here, but at some point, I will. I feel like the film talks a lot, too.”
And Will Johnson knows exactly what got him to this point—preparation, discipline, and trusting his craft. He credits Michigan, Coach Sherrone Moore, and the program’s relentless focus on details for shaping him into the player he is today. “Seeing it. Trusting it. And going out and doing it.” That’s the mindset that made him elite. Height, length, technique? He’s got the package. But it’s that rock-solid consistency and confidence that screams ‘pro-league star.’ Now, despite a dip in draft stock, the big question remains—where will the star cornerback land?
The post Once Top Draft Prospect, Michigan Star’s Stock Crashes After NFL Combine Snub and Injury Blow appeared first on EssentiallySports.
