Why Cardinals rookie CB Will Johnson fell in 2025 NFL draft

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Johnson falling to Cardinals:

“Part of the issue: The knee was flagged at combine testing, the results of which teams typically get in mid-to-late April. That gave some teams pause and resulted in a slide out of the first round. Still, executives forecast Johnson would go in the back half of the first round. That didn’t happen.

“In the hours before Day 2, some teams considering Johnson still had questions. Arizona was fine with the issues, and as a result, Johnson had the team circled as a strong possibility entering the start of the second round. Johnson played through the knee issue at Michigan, where he became a national champion and the Wolverines’ defensive MVP. If that level of play continues, Arizona just got first-round value in the second round.”

Johnson has dealt with knees issues for his entire career, and derail his senior season only appearing in six games. Regardless, the 22-year-old had some of the best metrics for a defensive back, finishing second in production score and seventh in athleticism score at the Combine. The intangibles are undeniable for Johnson and has the opportunity to be the leader in the secondary on day one.

The Cardinals will need to monitor his knee to ensure their investment pans out. Arizona have a talented cornerback room, headlined by Sean Murphy-Bunting, Starling Thomas V, Max Melton and more. Johnson will be put in a competitive environment, and if his knee holds up, will have the chance to have an explosive rookie year.