The Arizona Cardinals may have one of the NFL’s best rookies on their defense. ESPN’s “2025 NFL rookies guide” was released on Saturday, predicting cornerback Will Johnson as a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
As a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, there were plenty of defensive players selected ahead of Johnson. The 22-year-old has shown great potential over the course of his time in college and a limited sample size at the NFL level.
He’s caught the attention of the media, as well as his own coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis has been impressed by how the rookie handles himself at a young age.
“A lot of things [have stood out],” Rallis said of Johnson. “Work ethic one, talent two, intelligence three. It’s pretty simple. He’s been phenomenal to work with.”
The Offseason Proved That Johnson Can Produce Early
After putting together solid stretches of play throughout the entire offseason, Will Johnson is ready to make an impact. His camp got off to a slow start with a tight hamstring early on, but he has since been fully healthy.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon liked what he saw from the 22-year-old to begin his career. He decided to play his rookies more than usual in this year’s preseason, giving Johnson the chance to get three games of experience.
“[Johnson’s] smart, so he’s picked up everything really, really quickly,” Gannon said. “He did some really good things in [the] spring… Production gives you the chance to get more reps. He’s competing for his role.”
Through the preseason, Johnson didn’t flash too much. He started each game and played a total of 50 snaps at outside corner. Through that small sample size, the rookie allowed just one catch for nine yards.
How He Could Win DROY
In college, Will Johnson proved he was one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. He tallied nine interceptions in three years at Michigan, playing a big role on a national championship team in 2023.
The athletic tools are all there for Johnson, measuring in at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. He showed the speed and strength combination to be a dominant, physical corner in college and through the offseason.
Gannon’s defenses have been consistently successful in recent memory, hoping to continue in 2025. Johnson’s shown the ability to be a full-time starter on the outside, and is in line to do so with the Cardinals.
“This defense allows me to use all my skill sets,” Johnson said. “Being able to play a variety of coverages and the way [we] play the [defensive backs] and the linebackers. The whole scheme and as a whole, just allows me to make those plays you saw me making in college… I’ve just got to go out there and get comfortable in the scheme and go out there and do it.”
Johnson slipping down the draft board to the Cardinals in the second round was largely due to injuries. Toe, shoulder and knee injuries plagued the 22-year-old during college. If the rookie can string together a full season of health, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year is most definitely a possibility.
Cardinals’ Second-Round Corner Predicted to Contend for DROY