In a quiet Michigan living room, the only sound louder than the draft-day broadcast was the steady hum of frustration. Every name called that wasn’t his tightened the grip Will Johnson had on the armrest. And when the phone finally rang, it wasn’t relief that poured out. It was fire. Not the kind that simmers. The kind that explodes.

Projections and reality are two different things. What matters is the gap between them. Sometimes, there’s no space, but sometimes it stretches far beyond expectations. Will Johnson saw it firsthand when he slid from being a top-3 projection to a first-round hopeful, then a Day 2 pick, and finally landed with the Arizona Cardinals in the second round at 47th overall. Though a solid landing, it wasn’t what he had in mind.

Johnson wasn’t the only one to experience this slide. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, once projected in the top 3, fell all the way to the fifth round, drafted 144th overall by the Browns. In Johnson’s case, a quiet junior season due to injuries and limited appearances in the NFL Combine and Pro Day sowed doubts among scouts and agents. Now, Johnson is fueled by what he perceives as a league-wide mistake.

In a YouTube video posted this week, he revealed behind-the-scenes footage from his draft day. The video captures his emotional rollercoaster—from disappointment to raw determination. One standout moment: a gift from his mother. She presented him with a black ruby ring crafted by renowned jeweler Dorian Fletcher, inscribed with the names of their ancestors. A symbol of power in African tradition. That emotion turned to a four-word declaration as the camera rolled: “[They] going to have [to] pay.” He made a promise, “Finna go kill, bruh. They going to have to pay for this. I promise you. Arizona finna get a dawg.”

When the call from Kyler Murray‘s Cardinals finally came, tears and cheers followed. But the fire hadn’t gone out. “I’m still a little pissed off but I’m happy to be a Cardinal,” Johnson said. The 49ers ignored him. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon couldn’t believe his luck. “When he was sitting there, I’m like, ‘Dude, am I missing something? Like, this is the best corner in the draft.’”

Kyler Murray’s team has a top-draw 2025 Draft

The Cardinals quietly assembled one of the most balanced draft classes this year. Their 2024 defense was middle of the pack—24th in interceptions (9), 14th in sacks (41)—but this draft addressed all three levels.

Pro Football Focus writer Bradley Locker even dubbed them the NFC West’s draft winner. “General manager Monti Ossenfort splurged along his front in free agency and fortified all three levels even further in the draft. The Cardinals entered draft weekend yearning for upgrades at cornerback, linebacker and defensive line, and they found that wholeheartedly,” Locker wrote.

Arizona took defensive players at every position except for their sixth-round pick, Texas OG Hayden Conner (211th overall). Their top defensive selections:

• Will Johnson, Michigan CB (47th overall): 76.7 PFF coverage grade
• Walter Nolen, Ole Miss DT (16th overall): 88.9 PFF overall grade
• Jordan Burch, Oregon LB (78th overall): 81.3 PFF pass-rushing grade
• Cody Simon, Ohio State LB (115th overall): 87.7 PFF overall grade

After finishing 8-9 last season and missing the playoffs, the Cardinals aren’t looking to just compete—they’re aiming to dominate. With Johnson’s chip-on-the-shoulder energy and a revamped defense, Arizona’s 2025 campaign is shaping up to be anything but predictable.