How Healthy Is Will Johnson?
April 7th, 2025
Michigan CB Will Johnson.
It’s time to get very serious about the draft when Emory Hunt’s comprehensive draft guide lands in Joe’s inbox.
Joe is a fan of Hunt, whose work can be found on CBS. Been a big fan for years. Hunt digs in the weeds for his research and knows his stuff.
As Joe has stated, Joe is not locked in with a specific position or player at No. 19 for the Bucs. A case could be made for drafting any position on defense at No. 19, as well as receiver.
There is a prospect that may have a question mark, but without the uncertainty his synopsis by Hunt just screams “Todd Bowles.” That would be Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
The dude is quick. He’s physical. Loves to blitz. Tackles. He wraps up! Tall (6-2). And can play man or zone.
At the owners meetings last week, Bowles and GM Jason Licht all but said they are drafting a corner and indirectly put Jamel Dean on notice.
The following is Hunt’s breakdown of Johnson from his 2025 Football Gameplan Draft Guide.
– Excellent discipline to show the right combination of patience and aggressiveness to truly thrive in zone coverage. Won’t get you beat defensively, which is why he can play either side.
– Top tier ball skills and ball instincts. Can drive and leverage the ball coming out of his breaks and has the hands to make QB’s pay.
– Very good blitzer off the corner and run defender. Will fly up and make the tackle in the run game & quick pass game.
Joel Klatt, the former quarterback and current FOX Sports draft analyst, believes Johnson is tailor-made for Pete Carroll at Las Vegas. Klatt thinks Johnson is another Richard Sherman. And Klatt pointed out old coaches who go to a new team almost always try to replicate past success in their new home.
What did Carroll do in Seattle? He loaded up on defense. And Klatt points out that minority Raiders owner Tom Brady might want a Michigan Man in his building.
FYI, though Klatt didn’t mention him, former Bucs suit and current Raiders general manager John Spytek is also a Michigan Man, so Joe is confident Johnson is very much on their radars.
Las Vegas picks No. 6. If Johnson is being linked to the Raiders at No. 6, Joe doesn’t know how the guy makes it to No. 19 when the Bucs are on the clock.
If somehow, someway, Johnson falls to the Bucs and Licht pulls the lever on him, that is a complete home run on the first night of the draft.
Joe’s issue with Johnson is he had a variety of injuries last year that limited him to six games. The main issue with Dean is injuries. Would the Bucs draft a corner in the first round if he cannot stay on the field?
https://twitter.com/Endzone_Brasil/status/1908585390811783322
April 7th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Wow, only six games! I can’t see a pick at 19 playing only six games. That leaves only Jahdae Barron as an injury free top CB, and he likely won’t be around unless some teams go crazy picking QB’s like Dart and Shough. Pittsburgh at 21 may want to up to 19 for a QB so maybe Licht can pick up a late round pick.
April 7th, 2025 at 10:55 am
Not a fan of Hunt — although I know this Joe is — going back in the archives — I think Hunts picks have been less than most of the draft nicks.
Will Johnson hardest guy to get info on. Some sites seem to suggest that his speed is elite. Others suggesting that his speed may be a concern. Vastly different reports. But it would be hard for me to pick him in the 1st round if he isn’t running a 40.
Now the caveat to that is — if they have good GPS data of him while he was on the field at Michigan showing good NFL speed then all is ok.
April 7th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Jahdae Barron at 19 no matter what.
The pass rush would be greatly assisted by a lockdown corner that the QB is afraid to throw at.
He’s SEC approved and a top tier player and person.
Go listen to what he said at the combine about his attitude and work ethic.
Really a breath of fresh air. As a Texas Longhorn fan, I’d likely get his Bucs jersey if we draft him.
LFG!!!
April 7th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Bingo. GPS and tape carries significantly more weight than combine indoor track practice. Excellent point!
April 7th, 2025 at 11:23 am
Man, let’s get to the draft already!
April 7th, 2025 at 11:39 am
“Now the caveat to that is — if they have good GPS data of him while he was on the field at Michigan showing good NFL speed then all is ok.”
His game tape against receiver factory Ohio State should show if he has the athleticism to handle NFL receivers.
April 7th, 2025 at 11:41 am
Doubt that Emmanwori will be available at 19 but if he is, that’s Licht’s pick. If Bucs get that lucky, next move is to 4-3 scheme. Think this draft is deep in CB’s. If Emman gone, would rather see focus on LB. There will be plenty of CB’s available in 2-4 rounds. Don’t need another injury plagued defender with high pick.
April 7th, 2025 at 11:43 am
This would be the ideal selection. 6 is the earliest I’ve seen for him but I’ve seen plenty of people saying he could fall. Go watch his highlights, this dude is a ball hawk.
April 7th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
Trade back 4 or 5 spots in the first rd and get an extra 3rd rd pick if you can still get who you want.
Edge from BC in 1st
DT in 2nd
ILB Bassa from Oregon in 3rd
Kobe Bryant CB from Kansas in 3rd.
WR in the 4th
April 7th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Vegas is going Jeanty, absolutely, to take pressure off Geno and offense, etc.
Read more write-ups on Williams Johnson, much contrary to this. And there are 3 teams that will acquire him before pick 16, so no point in discussing, like Nolen.
April 7th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
*Will
April 7th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Not high on emmanwori that high for a safety unless he is as good as Kyle Hamilton. But those big hybrid saftey guys rarely work out
April 7th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Great CB with size and speed and more importantly, ball skills. Would have absolutely no problem with that pick.
From what I saw, the injury was turf toe and a hamstring. So nothing major and everything‘s fine now. I would have no problem with it.
I absolutely need to get an ILB within the first three rounds as well
April 7th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the discourse Gipper.
Not sure why you keep suggesting that the Bucs need to move to a 4-3 defense.
We start from a base 3-4 but our defense is hybrid like every other one in the league. Sometimes we are playing more a gap defense like a traditional 4-3, other times we and many other teams are playing more like a 3-4 defense and making sure we are setting the edges.
And no team is playing a traditional 4-3 or 3-4 defenses on passing downs — They move how many defenders up and down the line they may be rushing. Sometimes 4, sometimes more.
While you had the Eagles last year running a 4-3 who did not give up many points.
We can look at the other end of the NFC with Dallas, San Fran, Atlanta and the points they gave up in our conference. My gosh — Dallas had Parsons, SF had Bosa.
Really it is more about Bowles continuing to adapt. The more teams have film of his defense — the more they can exploit his tendencies. I would love for him to get a DC who shares some of his thoughts and calls a lot of the plays — then like BA … Bowles comes up with a red pen for certain plays and play calls.
Lots of ways to win. Starting with a 3-4 base is certainly one of them. The Bucs won a recent Super Bowl with one. Pittsburgh Steelers defenses with Tomlin have been good with a 3-4 base and of course all those NE Patriot championships.
April 7th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Great! Another CB coming out of college with a history of injuries. Smart!
April 7th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
I don’t believe he will be there at#19, but if is, it’s a big yes.
April 7th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
I just looked quickly at about 15 different mocks and Will Johnson didn’t make it to #19 in ANY of them…. vast majority have Johnson being selected in the top 10.
Every year there are certain players you just have to put out of your mind as being attainable based on your team’s draft position. Will Johnson is one of those players this year for the Bucs at #19. He will be looong gone.
April 7th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
I’m not worried about 1 year with some injury issues. Shyte happens. Does he have any consistent or major injuries? That would concern me. We could really use a shutdown type corner.
April 7th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Only thing that makes me NOT want to pass ON Emmanwori is that people were saying Metcalf was a combine product as well and how has he turned out as a receiver? I still like a pass rushing interior d lineman and Revel in 2nd if we can depending on his knee but I hear he will be good to go.
April 7th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Ds Says:
April 7th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Not high on emmanwori that high for a safety unless he is as good as Kyle Hamilton. But those big hybrid saftey guys rarely work out
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ds,
Have saved your post and will remind you when Emmanwori is DRoY. This guy will play like Troy Polumeu only Emmanwori is bigger. Polumeu had a nice career anchoring Steelers pass defense and ended up as a HOF’er. If you get a chance to draft a unique talent, you just do it.
April 7th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
The fact that JL and TB “all but announced they are drafting a CB” means one of 2 things:
a) They actually ARE gonna draft a CB in Round 1
or
b) They definitely ARE NOT gonna draft a CB in Round 1, but want everyone to THINK they are.
Good luck figuring out which – we’ll know on April 24th.
April 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Or a 3rd choice, they’re going to trade out of round one and draft TWO CB’s in round 2.
April 7th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Nobody associated with the Bucs said they’re drafting a CB in round 1. I think the consensus is that it’s a priority for day 1 or 2, but nobody has committed to that either, nor would you ever expect them to.
April 7th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
@geno711 said
Isn’t that what he’s doing = turning some of the D coordination over to Edwards? That’s the impression I got from press conference quotes the last few weeks. I suspect Todd has a clear picture of what needs improvement and how to get there. Give the man some more impact horses for the D (and if the team stays relatively healthy) and let’s see what he can do. I’m highly optimistic at this point
April 7th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
I think that in this draft I’m leaning Interior Defensive Lineman. Then Corner. But Emmanwori, if he’s available might be the best pick. Could maybe play any position on the defense except interior d-line. BPA (DEFENSE) with every pick. It’s the Jimmy’s and Joes. We got Charlie Strong coming on to help and we’ve moved some coaches around. Bowles is going to have a competition this year. And we’ll have depth! The defense is under the microscope and they are going to be “ballhawks” with “killer instincts”. With an attitude! Maybe some yelling at each other. I’d hate to have LaVonte yelling at me. We’re going to have to bung things up bad not to be champs this year.
April 7th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Replacing Dean? Great news!
April 7th, 2025 at 11:00 pm
geno711,
I like 4-3 played as a wide 9 up front. 2Edge, 2 DT, 2 Lb, 5 secondary with the Edges lining up outside the OT’s so they can can up the field quicker. Idea is to put constant pressure on QB on passing downs and contain on running downs. This system maximizes use of man to man coverage and little or no zone.
Of there is an NFL team that plays zone well, who would that be? I know for sure it is not Tampa.
April 7th, 2025 at 11:07 pm
If not Of
April 8th, 2025 at 12:59 am
This CB is the one I prefer. Revel if he’s not there
April 8th, 2025 at 1:00 am
Will Johnson in Rd 1
April 8th, 2025 at 10:42 am
JOE I was drooling over this guy until he only played in 6 games . When dean is on the field and in man v man he’s pretty dam good but that’s the thing he’s not on the field a lot lol. One thing you cannot scout is injuries. Some will say you can but what happens to players in college doesn’t always happen in the pro. We’ve seen it a bunch of times. Players will not miss a game in college and then come to the pros and be on the bench and vise versa