The Michigan Wolverines have had two players go No. 1 in the NFL Draft since 1936. The last Wolverine to claim the No. 1 spot was left tackle Jake Long, who went to the Miami Dolphins as the No. 1 pick in 2008. The other dates back to 1941, when the Chicago Bears drafted running back Tom Harmon. Is there a chance Michigan could have a third No. 1 pick after the 2025 NFL Draft concludes?
Michigan has several youngsters who can enter the ’25 NFL Draft after the ’24 college football season ends. Players like Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham and Will Johnson are so good on the defensive side of the football. While Graham and Grant are studs in their own right, Johnson is arguably the best defensive back in college and will be a top pick in next April’s draft. But could a cornerback really be the No. 1 pick in a draft? If you look at the numbers, it is very doubtful. The last defensive back to go first overall was in 1956, when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Gary Glick from Texas A&M.
You know the old saying: “If it happened once, it can happen again.” Looking at some mock drafts for ’25, there is one that already has Johnson at No. 1. Pro Football Network has the Washington Commanders taking Johnson first overall and pairing him with his former Wolverine teammate Mike Sainristil in high school.
The Washington Commanders put together an impressive draft class in April, but they still need to find a sure-fire cornerback. They return to the Michigan Wolverines’ stable of standout secondary players in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, landing a playmaker in Will Johnson with the size, football IQ, athletic excellence and ball skills to dominate at the NFL level.
November 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) intercepts a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / United States
Going back to 2022, his first season, Johnson had a man coverage grade of 91.1, according to Pro Football Focus. He was one of the best defenders in the entire college landscape, as a true freshman. Last season, he was tasked with covering a pair of elite wide receivers down the stretch, in Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Washington’s Rome Odunze. Both teams targeted Johnson just six times when he covered those two, and he allowed three receptions while he had an interception against the Buckeyes.
The 2023 All-American has elite speed, great size, is physical and is a ball hawk. While the 2025 NFL Draft is quite far away, Johnson will most likely mention his name as a top-five pick. It’s probably not likely for a defensive back to go first overall, but Johnson will probably have a case as long as his junior season is similar to his freshman and sophomore seasons. Many teams will desperately need to add corner help, and if they can add a talent like Johnson, he may be one of the best options.
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