- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 404,088
- Reaction score
- 43
The latest mock draft from Todd McShay has Michigan cornerback Will Johnson -- one of the top defensive players in the 2025 draft class -- falling to the Green Bay Packers at No. 23 overall and presenting Brian Gutekunst with an appealing option in the first round.
Johnson (6-2, 194) currently ranks as the No. 11 overall player on the 2025 consensus big board, suggesting he could be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock next month. McShay believes concerns over a lack of elite top speed and potential problems with the ball in the air could cause Johnson to drop further than expected.
A fall down the draft board for Johnson -- a former five-star recruit who is still only 21 years old after three excellent seasons at Michigan -- could provide the Packers with another big-time addition at a position where Green Bay is currently in transition.
General manager Brian Gutekunst already signed Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal and allowed Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine to depart in free agency. Jaire Alexander, a two-time All-Pro, is expected to depart via trade or release at some point this offseason.
Taking Johnson in the first round could give the Packers an excellent perimeter cornerback prospect while allowing Hobbs, Keisean Nixon and Javon Bullard to play multiple roles in Jeff Hafley's secondary.
Over the last two seasons, Johnson intercepted six passes and didn't allow a single touchdown pass against his coverage. He finished his collegiate career with nine picks, including three interceptions returned for scores. Johnson had a foot injury in 2024 and only played in six games.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network currently ranks Johnson as his 13th best player in the class.
His scouting report: "Johnson is a big cornerback with easy/fluid movement skills and excellent instincts. He played outside and in the slot at Michigan. In off coverage, he’s very smooth and relaxed. He doesn’t panic, settles on routes and can find/play the ball. He had an impressive flat-footed read against USC that he turned into a pick-six. He has the size/length to press and match up with bigger wideouts. The two issues that showed up in his 2024 game tape were inconsistency as a support player against the run and questions about his deep speed. He wasn’t ultra-aggressive to attack ball-carriers and he was run over multiple times. He can alleviate any concerns about his speed during athletic testing in the spring. Overall, Johnson isn’t a perfect player, but I do love his blend of size and ball skills."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get Michigan CB Will Johnson in McShay's latest mock draft
Continue reading...
Johnson (6-2, 194) currently ranks as the No. 11 overall player on the 2025 consensus big board, suggesting he could be long gone by the time the Packers are on the clock next month. McShay believes concerns over a lack of elite top speed and potential problems with the ball in the air could cause Johnson to drop further than expected.
A fall down the draft board for Johnson -- a former five-star recruit who is still only 21 years old after three excellent seasons at Michigan -- could provide the Packers with another big-time addition at a position where Green Bay is currently in transition.
General manager Brian Gutekunst already signed Nate Hobbs to a four-year deal and allowed Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine to depart in free agency. Jaire Alexander, a two-time All-Pro, is expected to depart via trade or release at some point this offseason.
Taking Johnson in the first round could give the Packers an excellent perimeter cornerback prospect while allowing Hobbs, Keisean Nixon and Javon Bullard to play multiple roles in Jeff Hafley's secondary.
Over the last two seasons, Johnson intercepted six passes and didn't allow a single touchdown pass against his coverage. He finished his collegiate career with nine picks, including three interceptions returned for scores. Johnson had a foot injury in 2024 and only played in six games.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network currently ranks Johnson as his 13th best player in the class.
His scouting report: "Johnson is a big cornerback with easy/fluid movement skills and excellent instincts. He played outside and in the slot at Michigan. In off coverage, he’s very smooth and relaxed. He doesn’t panic, settles on routes and can find/play the ball. He had an impressive flat-footed read against USC that he turned into a pick-six. He has the size/length to press and match up with bigger wideouts. The two issues that showed up in his 2024 game tape were inconsistency as a support player against the run and questions about his deep speed. He wasn’t ultra-aggressive to attack ball-carriers and he was run over multiple times. He can alleviate any concerns about his speed during athletic testing in the spring. Overall, Johnson isn’t a perfect player, but I do love his blend of size and ball skills."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get Michigan CB Will Johnson in McShay's latest mock draft
Continue reading...
