The NFL Draft is always full of surprises, but if things go the way Peter Schrager predicts, the Detroit Lions might just walk away with one of the biggest steals of 2025.
Hometown Hero in the Making?
With the No. 28 pick, the Lions are reportedly targeting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson—a name familiar to anyone who’s followed Big Ten football in recent years. According to Schrager’s latest mock draft, Johnson is slipping down the board… and Detroit could be waiting with open arms.
This potential slide isn’t about talent—it’s about timing. Johnson missed some action last season with a foot injury, and later sat out Michigan’s Pro Day with a tweaked hamstring. That’s given some teams pause. But for Detroit? It might be the perfect opportunity.
Why Will Johnson Makes Sense for the Lions
Johnson isn’t just any corner. He’s 6-foot-2, fluid in coverage, with elite ball skills and freaky football IQ. Over 32 games with Michigan, he racked up 237 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and 9 interceptions. That kind of production doesn’t just grow on trees.
Detroit’s secondary has already made strides, with Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed locking things down. But imagine adding Johnson into the mix. That’s not just depth—that’s a legit shutdown trio.
A Classic Case of One Team’s Hesitation, Another’s Jackpot
If Johnson does fall to No. 28, Detroit fans should be doing backflips. “Draft heist” might sound like a stretch—until you realize you’re getting a top-15 talent at the tail end of the first round. That’s franchise-building stuff.
As always, nothing’s guaranteed until draft night, but if Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell pull this off? It’s another bold, smart move in a string of many.
Let the countdown to Detroit’s potential jackpot begin.