With the frenzy of NFL free agency winding down, mock drafts are taking clearer shape, pinpointing team needs and highlighting top draft prospects. For the first time since 2008 when they selected Sedrick Ellis the New Orleans Saints hold a coveted top-ten pick. While most experts have linked them to wide receivers or defensive ends, one analyst has a different vision.
Former NFL offensive lineman and current Fox Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz recently took over for Chris Broussard on First Things First and revealed his top ten picks for the 2025 NFL Draft. His bold projection? The Saints selecting Michigan’s standout cornerback, Will Johnson, at No. 9. Though Schwartz primarily discussed the top five picks on air, the reasoning behind Johnson’s inclusion in the top ten is crystal clear.
Will Johnson: A Shutdown Corner in the Making
Standing 6’2″ and weighing 194 pounds, Johnson arrived at Michigan as a five-star recruit and quickly made an impact. As a freshman in 2022, he earned Freshman All-American honors, followed by a stellar 2023 season that saw him named First-Team All-Big Ten and Defensive MVP of the National Championship Game. His stat line in that title game four tackles and an interception only added to his growing reputation.
Despite missing half of his junior season due to turf toe, Johnson still managed to secure Third-Team All-American honors, tallying two pick-sixes and 14 tackles in just six games. Scouts view him as a high-risk, high-reward prospect, with NFL.com assigning him a 6.5 prospect grade on an 8-point scale indicative of a player with significant “boom-or-bust” potential.
How Johnson Fits in the Saints’ Secondary Overhaul
Selecting Johnson would align with New Orleans’ ongoing efforts to strengthen its secondary through free agency. The Saints recently re-signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom after a brief stint in San Francisco and brought in Super Bowl-winning Louisiana native Justin Reid at safety, who will join forces with fellow Louisianan Tyrann Mathieu. With the departures of Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore, a high-caliber talent like Johnson could compete for a starting role alongside Alontae Taylor or Kool-Aid McKinstry.
An Unexpected Pick Amidst Draft Projections
Johnson’s selection would certainly be an unconventional move for the Saints. The NFL Mock Draft Database currently shows Georgia EDGE rusher Mykel Williams as the consensus pick for New Orleans, followed by wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Luther Burden.
With the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft set to begin on April 24, all eyes will be on the Saints as they decide whether to make this bold defensive move or follow the conventional wisdom of the draft boards.
