GLENDALE – Week 1 couldn’t have gone better for Arizona Cardinals rookie CB Will Johnson. The former Michigan Wolverine had three pass deflections, a highlight massive hit and nearly got his first career interception. Johnson’s stellar debut earned him a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.2, which is second amongst all cornerbacks in the NFL.
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Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) waits for a drill to complete during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 6, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Head coach Jonathan Gannon on what he saw from Cardinals rookie:
“He played well. I thought he played with the right technique for most of the day. He made some plays and showed up. I know the one big hit— what was cool about that was taking the coaching to the grass.
“That was formation recognition with him there in that particular call. Some freedom that we gave him, and he saw it and applied it. The one interception, (it’s) unfortunate (it) gets taken off the board, but I thought he played well.”
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson (0) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The 22-year-old has taken the draft fall personally and has came out of the gates firing. However, can he continue this momentum heading into Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. In the home opener, Carolina will have a more established quarterback in Bryce Young and a deep wide receiver room with Xavier Legette, Hunter Renfrow and top 10 pick Tetairoa McMillan.
With Cardinals teammate Garrett Williams likely covering Renfrow in the slot, that leaves Johnson with either Legette or McMillan. The duo will be much bigger targets for the rookie to cover, with both being 6’3+ and 210+ pounds. Johnson is a bigger defensive back, standing at 6’1 and 200 pounds, but the extra muscle from his assignments might be a culture shock for him early on.
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
McMillan and Legette combined for 16 targets last week vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, almost half of Young’s passing attempts. Johnson will need to be smart to not get bullied at the line of scrimmage and stay connected through the point of attack. During the 2025 draft process, Johnson was touted as having the highest game IQ of any defensive back in the class.
Sunday’s game will be a test of the validity of that, as he will be going against two wide receivers that are physically bigger than him, which will force Johnson to have to rely on his wits.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
