Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Will Johnson, CB
School: Michigan | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 202 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 1st Round
Player Comparison: Pat Surtain II
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2022* | Michigan | Big Ten | FR | DB | 14 | 25 | 2 | 27 | 2 | 0.0 | 3 | 29 | 9.7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023* | Michigan | Big Ten | SO | DB | 12 | 20 | 7 | 27 | 1 | 0.0 | 4 | 80 | 20.0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024* | Michigan | Big Ten | SR | DB | 6 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 128 | 64.0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career | 32 | 57 | 11 | 68 | 4 | 0.0 | 9 | 237 | 26.3 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
Player Overview
Will Johnson journey to the NFL follows in the footsteps of his father, Deon Johnson. The elder Johnson was a defensive back for the Michigan Wolverines in the 1990s. Will Johnson was a standout defensive back, wide receiver, and punt returner in high school, earning honors as the top player in the state of Michigan. He spurned the likes of Ohio State, Texas, and USC to play at his father’s alma mater.
Johnson’s talent allowed him to see the field quickly, earning five starts with one of them being a two-interception performance in the Big Ten Championship Game. The follow up to an impressive start was a sophomore season that ended with him being first-team All-Big Ten, a first-team All-American and a National Champion. A lot was expected of Johnson’s junior year, however shoulder and toe injuries made for an up-and-down season. He still earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors.
Strengths
- Excellent positional size
- Strong, disruptive punch in press coverage
- Understands route concepts to beat opponent to the ball
- Effective in press man, off man, and zone coverages
- Physical at the catch point
- Multiple interceptions each season
Weaknesses
- Not the twitchiest or most fluid athlete
- Can gamble a little too much going for the ball
- Speed is good, but not elite
- Good tackler, but selective about getting involved in plays
- Injury concerns
Let’s See His Work
How He Fits on the Commanders
While there is a lot of talk about improving the Commanders’ offensive and defensive lines, the secondary needs improvement. Adding Marshon Lattimore was a midseason attempt to help the team make a playoff push. Mikey Sainristil had a great rookie season, but also had his share of struggles playing out of position. Noah Igbinoghene was a solid performer, but will be a free agent along with Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis.
Before the start of the college football season, many believed Will Johnson would be the first cornerback off the board thanks to his versatile skillset to play in any defense. However, injuries and the play of others may have pushed him down draft boards. Will he be available late in the first round? Doubtful, but crazier things have happened in the draft.
Even if the Commanders address cornerback in free agency, they should still consider adding Johnson. Lattimore has two more seasons before becoming a free agent and has struggled to stay healthy for an entire season. Johnson has shutdown corner ability and could play opposite Lattimore this season before replacing him long-term. The Commanders have more pressing needs, but it could be hard to pass on Will Johnson at the 29th pick.