49ers Looking Smart for Skipping Top Corner in Draft
The 49ers had not one, but two chances to grab Michigan cornerback Will Johnson during the 2025 NFL Draft—once with the 11th overall pick and again early in the second round. But instead of going for the highly touted (but banged-up) DB, they passed both times. So did the rest of the league in Round 1. Johnson finally went to the Cardinals at No. 47.
Leading up to the draft, Johnson was hyped as a possible top-10 pick. But his stock took a hit after he skipped workouts in front of scouts and dealt with injuries. That combo dropped him into the second round—and probably cost him a lot of money too.
Now, the latest updates out of Cardinals minicamp suggest the 49ers made the right call.
Johnson isn’t practicing with the team. He showed up in uniform, but Arizona’s head coach Jonathan Gannon said they’re keeping him sidelined until training camp. No explanation was given, but considering his pre-draft issues (knee, toe, hamstring), it’s not exactly reassuring.
Sure, the 49ers’ top picks—Georgia DE Mykel Williams and Texas DT Alfred Collins—are also being handled carefully this offseason. But neither came with the injury baggage Johnson had.
So yeah, it’s starting to look like the 49ers dodged a bullet.
“That Corner Everyone Wanted? 49ers Are Doing Just Fine Without Him”
