Green Bay Packers Linked to Michigan CB in ’25 Draft To Replace Free Agent Departures

Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire highlights the following insiders’ assessments:

ESPN’s Matt Bowen: “Aggressive eyes/explosive, forward ability. Has the physical tools to align in press. Better suited to play off — with vision — given he’s more smooth than sudden. Ball skills/playmaking mentality (9 career INTs, 3 defensive TDs).”

ESPN’s Jordan Reid: “Big, smooth, scheme versatile corner. Closing speed and ball skills to make plays. Excellent hips to sink and redirect.”

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman in his preseason analysis: “Johnson had the fastest time this offseason on the team on Michigan’s reactive plyo stairs test at 2.27 seconds. He did the 3-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, displaying his ability to change directions and bend.”

In an injury-hampered junior campaign, the Detroit native recorded two interceptions in five games last year, also accounting for a pair of scores. He picked off nine passes in his college career and racked up 237 interception return yards. His last game for Michigan came October 5, 2024 versus Washington before injuries curtailed his season.

Will Johnson Has Tantalizing Promise–If Green Bay Can Get Him

In Green Bay, Johnson would join a CB crew of Hobbs, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine–and Alexander if he stays. While the draft is not the only route to pursue DB depth, adding Johnson would help counter free agent losses and provide an insure policy for a potential Alexander trade.

In his own analysis, Rupp is quite high on Johnson as well, calling him a “day-one starter,” “natural playmaker,” and “potential cornerstone.”

Although the Packers have strong young talent elsewhere on the roster (Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker at linebacker, Evan Williams plus six-year pro Xavier McKinney at safety), cornerback is a position where they could use a face of the future alongside Nixon and Hobbs. Both of the latter are quality backs, but neither is likely to be a franchise cog. Hobbs also has a history of injuries, making backup snaps all the more important in the short term.

Of course, Johnson has battled nagging health problems himself; he missed Michigan’s pro-day with a hamstring injury. But his talent is there–NFL.com pegs Johnson as the 9th overall selection going to New Orleans. Unless Green Bay trades up in the draft (Alexander, anyone?), he may fall out of reach. If injury concerns scare off takers, however, leaving him available to the Packers, his upside will make him hard to pass up.