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Dane Brugler's final mock draft of the 2025 cycle had the Green Bay Packers ending the slide of cornerback Will Johnson, the All-American and national champion who missed seven games to injury in 2024 and then skipped the pre-draft testing. Brugler had the Packers stay put at No. 23 and take Johnson.
The injury and lack of athletic measurables, including the 40-yard dash, could create a first-round slide for a player who is currently the No. 12 overall player on the consensus big board.
From Brugler: "I’ve mentioned this a lot the last few months: Johnson is a true wild card in Round 1. The concerns about his speed are there, and his medicals also could cause him to fall to Green Bay (or further)."
Johnson, if healthy in 2024, might have cemented himself as a top-10 pick. Instead, a fall into the second half of the first round is possible, and the cornerback-needy Packers could be the team to eventually end his slide.
Johnson is 6-1 with impressive short-area movement ability. Over 22 starts at Michigan, Johnson produced 19 pass breakups and nine interceptions, with multiple interceptions each season and three interception returns for touchdowns. He was a Freshman All-American as a true freshman in 2022 and a first-team All-American during a dominant 2023 season for the national champions. Johnson missed seven games due to shoulder and toe injuries in 2024 but still managed to intercept two passes in six games.
Brugler's scouting report on Johnson:
"Johnson is comfortable in both press and of coverage with the fluid athleticism and route recognition to seamlessly transition or attack the football. He isn't shy about getting physical at the top of routes and in pursuit, but his tackling mechanics and execution need work. Overall, Johnson is more "good" than "great" in terms of twitch and speed, but he has outstanding eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the football. He projects as a day one starting outside cornerback in the NFL."
If selected by the Packers, Johnson could immediately compete to start as a perimeter cornerback. Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs, who might be a slot weapon for Jeff Hafley, and Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine both return after starting games on the perimeter to end last season. The Packers need a talent infusion at cornerback, especially with Jaire Alexander expected to be traded or released at some point still this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Dane Brugler's final mock draft has Packers getting Michigan CB Will Johnson
Continue reading...
The injury and lack of athletic measurables, including the 40-yard dash, could create a first-round slide for a player who is currently the No. 12 overall player on the consensus big board.
From Brugler: "I’ve mentioned this a lot the last few months: Johnson is a true wild card in Round 1. The concerns about his speed are there, and his medicals also could cause him to fall to Green Bay (or further)."
Johnson, if healthy in 2024, might have cemented himself as a top-10 pick. Instead, a fall into the second half of the first round is possible, and the cornerback-needy Packers could be the team to eventually end his slide.
Johnson is 6-1 with impressive short-area movement ability. Over 22 starts at Michigan, Johnson produced 19 pass breakups and nine interceptions, with multiple interceptions each season and three interception returns for touchdowns. He was a Freshman All-American as a true freshman in 2022 and a first-team All-American during a dominant 2023 season for the national champions. Johnson missed seven games due to shoulder and toe injuries in 2024 but still managed to intercept two passes in six games.
Brugler's scouting report on Johnson:
"Johnson is comfortable in both press and of coverage with the fluid athleticism and route recognition to seamlessly transition or attack the football. He isn't shy about getting physical at the top of routes and in pursuit, but his tackling mechanics and execution need work. Overall, Johnson is more "good" than "great" in terms of twitch and speed, but he has outstanding eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the football. He projects as a day one starting outside cornerback in the NFL."
If selected by the Packers, Johnson could immediately compete to start as a perimeter cornerback. Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs, who might be a slot weapon for Jeff Hafley, and Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine both return after starting games on the perimeter to end last season. The Packers need a talent infusion at cornerback, especially with Jaire Alexander expected to be traded or released at some point still this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Dane Brugler's final mock draft has Packers getting Michigan CB Will Johnson
Continue reading...
