Michigan cornerback Will Johnson would catapult the 49ers’ defense back to a top unit
As the NFL draft approaches, all eyes are on the 49ers‘ potential pick at pick 11. The correct move is to choose a defensive tackle who plays every down and can be a cornerstone on the defensive line. Since the departure of DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead, the team has been missing that valuable piece on the line. Replacing players who are valuable in both pass rushing and run defense has eluded the 49ers.
Mason Graham from Michigan fits Robert Saleh’s defense in 2025. Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave are pass rushers, but they struggle in run defense. Jordan Elliott is a run defense specialist. The team has attempted to fill the defensive tackle role with players that are one or the other, but not both.
One ESPN analyst has identified a glove and hand fit for the defense. However, the fit isn’t a defensive tackle at pick 11.
Jordan Reid of ESPN released his latest two-round mock draft and chose two defensive players in Will Johnson, CB from Michigan, and Landon Jackson, EDGE from Arkansas.
Reid explained his decision to me to select a cornerback at pick 11 on his media conference call on Wednesday.
I think Will Johnson’s a dream pick at 11. Firstly, how do we get you to convince the 49ers to not take a defensive tackle and go with Will Johnson? What’s the fit of him in the defense with Robert Saleh coming back?
Yeah, I mean, I think it would be a great fit. And you know, Will is somebody that really came into the year as a bonafide top five pick.
There was a lot of people that viewed him that highly, but he just didn’t have the year that a lot of people thought that he was going to have, whether it was injury or a little bit of a slip in his production, and then just his own field play. But I mean, I still think he’s a very good player. I still have him ranked inside of my top 10 on my big board.
You know, the 49ers, they don’t have like a pressing need at corner, in my opinion, just because Renardo Green, I thought was fantastic last year. They found him in the second round. But with Will and the scheme, I mean, it’s a dream, like you said, his ability to play press-man, he could play off, man (coverage).
He could play zone. There’s so many different things that he could do. Now, I will say defensive tackle definitely is a need or defensive line in general. So they could look to go there. But I don’t think they should pass up Will Johnson if they don’t have a defensive tackle graded as highly as him.
Reid is operating under the best player available approach in the draft, and a lockdown secondary can help the pass rush of the 49ers. One concern is Johnson’s injury-riddled 2025 season, but Reid isn’t concerned.
And just a quick follow-up, Jordan, do you think that medicals are a concern with Will based on the way that his season ended with an injury?
I mean that’s something I can’t really speak on just because I don’t have access to the medicals. So we’ll see what he ends up doing at his Pro day. I don’t have the exact date of when the Pro Day is in front of me, but he’s expected to do everything at the Pro Day from what I’ve heard and what I’ve been told.
So we’ll see what happens at his Pro day, but I haven’t heard any medical concerns or anything like that about Will.
In the past, the 49ers haven’t drafted a secondary member highly, and it’s fair to not expect that to change in 2025. Johnson is reminiscent of Patrick Surtain II or Sauce Gardner and can provide the 49ers with a young, lockdown cornerback of the future.
The pick is most likely going to be for the defensive line, but not considering Johnson at pick 11 is a mistake by the 49ers. The NFL is a passing league, and coverage is a strong move for any team looking to slow down some of the more dynamic receivers.
For Reid’s comments, watch the video below: