Green Bay, WI – April 18, 2025
Forget the WR hype. Forget the flashy trade-up rumors.
According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, the Green Bay Packers could pull off one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft — by landing Michigan cornerback Will Johnson at pick No. 23.
Yes, the same Will Johnson once projected as a Top 5 prospect.
“If he falls, and the Packers take him, it’s an absolute steal,” Brugler said on ESPN’s This Is Football podcast.
🔍 Why Would He Fall?
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Didn’t run the 40-yard dash at Michigan’s Pro Day
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Medical concerns have some teams cautious
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But the film? Elite — lockdown coverage, smart footwork, positional versatility
“He’s the type of guy who could start Week 1,” Brugler added.
“If Green Bay is sitting there at 23 and he’s still on the board, this could be the draft’s biggest heist.”
🧠 Packers Playing the Long Game
The CB room in Green Bay isn’t bad, but it’s thin:
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Jaire Alexander is a star, but entering the latter half of a massive contract
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Eric Stokes hasn’t stayed healthy
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Carrington Valentine is still developing
Plug in a guy like Johnson — 6’2″ with technique and toughness — and you’ve got your CB1 of the future, no matter what happens to the rest.
📊 Quick Profile: Will Johnson
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School: Michigan
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Size: 6’2″, NFL-ready build
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Play style: Fluid, physical, instinctive
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NFL comps: Think Pat Surtain II or Marshon Lattimore
Not every franchise cornerstone comes from the Top 10.
Sometimes, the draft gods drop a gift — and smart teams don’t blink.
If Will Johnson is wearing green and gold next Thursday night, just know this:
The Packers didn’t pick him. They stole him.
