Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's free agency strategy could propel Vikings to take elite playmaker for Brian Flores' defense

Going into the 2024 season, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson wouldn't have been on the radar for a team picking in the 20s. That's ultimately the reality after a year of struggles and injuries. With the cornerback class as talented as it is, a player like Johnson has gotten lost in the shuffle. It's not necessarily […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Going into the 2024 season, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson wouldn't have been on the radar for a team picking in the 20s. That's ultimately the reality after a year of struggles and injuries.

With the cornerback class as talented as it is, a player like Johnson has gotten lost in the shuffle. It's not necessarily fair, but the draft machine comes for everyone.

The latest installment of our SKOL Search series focuses on a player we never expected to drop in NFL Mock Drafts for the Vikings in Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.

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Will Johnson

  • Michigan
  • Height: 6016
  • Weight: 194
  • Class: Fourth-Year Junior
  • Recruiting info: 4-star recruit in 2022 class per 247 Sports
  • Stats: 68 tackles (57 solo), 4.0 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions, 3 touchdowns, 10 passes defended 
  • Games watched: Illinois 2024, Texas 2024, USC 2024

Strengths

  • Route Recognition: The Wolverines played a lot of cover-3, leaving Johnson in bail technique a lot. He does a great job keeping his eyes up and identifies route concepts well, not getting fooled by switches. He reads things correctly and takes it with ease
  • Ball Production: Johnson does a really good job attacking the ball. He doesn't have a ton of targets in his career with 113 per Pro Football focus, but maximized them with nine interceptions and seven more passes defended. He makes the most of his opportunities.
  • Transitions: Johnson does a great job moving in space. He transitions well in and out of cuts. He doesn't get phased easily and keeps himself in control.

Weaknesses

  • Durability: Johnson ended his season early due to a turf toe injury and he struggled at times early in the season.
  • Tackling: There is effort from Johnson when it comes to tackling, but some of the struggles are real. He can overpursue and miss tackles when in space.
  • Recovery: When Johnson gets in trouble, he struggles to get out of it. He doesn't have great recovery speed and struggles when receivers get past him. Cover-3 might be best for Johnson, as he keeps receivers in front of him.

Overview

TraitGrade

Man

8.4/10

Zone

8.8/10

Hips/Fluidity

8.6/10

Recognition

13.5/15

Quickness

8.5/10

Run Support

8.4/10

Speed

8.2/10

Recovery

8.0/10

Tackling

4.1/5

Ball Skills

8.9/10

Grade

85.4 First Round Grade

Johnson is one of the better cornerbacks in the class. However, there are some concerns about how well he will translate to the next level. I have some real concerns about his recovery speed, but in a cover-3 heavy scheme, Johnson can thrive.

He also can thrive with the Vikings under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. His ability to recognize route concepts and adapt to receivers switching in open space. This is a player the Vikings could target, and they can ask his former teammate, J.J. McCarthy, about him.

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