One Mighty Rookie Could Sink All the Way to Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not draft a cornerback with their first pick at the end of the month — it’s one of Minnesota’s great draft mysteries.
One Mighty Rookie Could Sink All the Way to Vikings
The team has plugged all roster holes with free agency and can select the best player available on Thursday, April 24th. Otherwise, per long-term roster planning, the Vikings might need a left guard, young defensive tackle, safety, or cornerback.
And one man to monitor with the draft just nine days away — is Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Will Johnson’s Draft Stock in Doubt
Johnson declined some traditional draft measurement metrics at his recent Pro Day, which can shroud his profile in mystery.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote this week, “Former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson worked out for NFL teams on Monday, but he skipped one of the traditional drills from pre-draft sessions. Johnson did not run a 40-yard dash during the workout in Ann Arbor. Johnson missed Michigan’s Pro Day with a hamstring injury and he missed much of the 2024 season with other injuries.”
“While teams did not have a chance to see Johnson run the 40, they got plenty of chances to see him on the field for the Wolverines.”
Most prospects do the drills, and their draft stock pivots or stands still accordingly. Yet, there’s some uncertainty with Johnson.
“Johnson became a regular as a freshman in 2022 and was the MVP of the national title game after his sophomore season. He also had a pair of interception returns for touchdowns when he was healthy enough to get on the field in 2024,” Alper added.
USA Today‘s Jacob Camenker added more context: “Johnson’s decision not to run the 40-yard dash comes after he played just six games during his final season with the Wolverines because of a turf toe injury. He also missed Michigan’s initial pro day while nursing a minor hamstring malady.”
“It isn’t clear whether those injuries impacted Johnson’s decision not to run the 40-yard dash or if he was simply concerned about the impact of logging a slow time.”
Johnson will basically hope that general managers don’t care about his non-participation.
Vikings at Johnson’s Pro Day
On Monday, ESPN’s Jordan Reid tweeted, “CB Will Johnson is scheduled to workout for NFL evaluators at 10 am this morning inside of the teams indoor practice facility. He’s expected to participate in the shuttle, jumps and position drills, per source.”
Local Vikings reporter Darren Wolfson of KSTP found the tweet and noted, “The Vikings had DB coach Daronte Jones there this morning to watch the stud Michigan cornerback.”
So, yes, Minnesota could be in the mix for Johnson if he slid down the draftboard as a result of the limited Pro Day activities.
Will Johnson’s Scouting Report
Through most of March, Johnson ranked in the Top 10 of most draft pundits’ big boards, a placement he still holds at the time of this article’s publication. But in the last week and especially with the Pro Day development, some have theorized that Johnson could fall outside the Top 10, which has Vikings fans daydreaming about the almighty No. 24 scenario.
Johnson is 6’2 and 195 pounds — perfect cornerback size. He turned 22 last month.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s K.C. Martinez describes Johnson’s scouting report: “The NFL cornerback prototype is changing, and Will Johnson represents the new wave. His rare combination of length, football IQ, and competitive fire makes him a scheme-proof defender who can match up with the league’s evolving receiver archetypes. While some corners his size struggle with smaller, shifty receivers, Johnson’s fluid hips and patient technique allow him to mirror all types. His ability to determine route concepts pre-snap and communicate adjustments reminds me of Stephon Gilmore coming out of South Carolina.”
“Johnson’s ceiling in the NFL will largely depend on cleaning up some fixable flaws. His occasional gambling streak needs to be tempered, and his press technique could use more consistency.”
The rookie would instantly scale Minnesota’s depth chart, probably starting next to Byron Murphy Jr. as soon as this September.
Martinez added, “The decision not to run the forty at the Combine or his pro day has created questions, with reports suggesting he’s been clocking in the high-4.5’s during training. This potential top-end speed limitation could impact his recovery ability when his back is to the quarterback. The turf toe injury that limited him in 2024 is worth monitoring, but his three-year track record of durability prior to that is encouraging.”
“In a passing league starved for shutdown corners, Johnson has the tools to be a franchise cornerstone. His scheme versatility, combined with the alpha mentality he brings to the position, will have defensive coordinators salivating.”
A Holy Grail Opportunity
Vikings fans have eyes on other corners like Jahdae Barron and Shavon Revel Jr., to name two examples. But like Johnson, Barron may not be on the board at pick No. 24, and Revel Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL. Revel Jr. is also 24, rather old for a rookie.
Johnson plummeting down the draftboard because of general managers’ Pro Day skittishness would be the Vikings’ holy grail draft scenario.
One might argue, “There’s no way he falls.” Well, folks didn’t think Dallas Turner would get past the Atlanta Falcons last year — and that happened.
If Not Johnson, Which Other CBs?
If the Vikings desire a cornerback, the options after Johnson, Barron, and Revel Jr. include these men from Rounds 1 and 2:
- Trey Amos (Mississippi)
- Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
- Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)
Minnesota has just four picks in the draft.
Johnson was a teammate of J.J. McCarthy’s at Michigan.
Vikings Met with Bloodline Rookie
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