2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: CB

I think if the Viking's strongly consider corner, its going to be Maxwell Hairston.

#Michigan CB Will Johnson is scheduled to workout for NFL evaluators at 10 am this morning inside of the teams indoor practice facility. He’s expected to participate in the shuttle, jumps and position drills, per source.

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 14, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/jordan_reid/status/1911759665475494073?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Johnson is the only presumed 1st rounder who is not the consensus pick for any team in the 1st round. Now, that doesn't mean a whole lot when the mockers are just NFL media writers, but I've seen this in the past and players like this tend to drop.

MaroonBells wrote:

Johnson is the only presumed 1st rounder who is not the consensus pick for any team in the 1st round. Now, that doesn't mean a whole lot when the mockers are just NFL media writers, but I've seen this in the past and players like this tend to drop.

I believe I have karma control over the draft. Don’t believe me? 

Never bothered to look at Dalvin Cook because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Dallas Turner because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Will Johnson because he wasn’t going to be there

JustInTime wrote:

I believe I have karma control over the draft. Don’t believe me? 

Never bothered to look at Dalvin Cook because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Dallas Turner because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Will Johnson because he wasn’t going to be there

Please don't bother to look at Ashton Jeanty. :-)

JustInTime wrote:

I believe I have karma control over the draft. Don’t believe me? 

Never bothered to look at Dalvin Cook because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Dallas Turner because he wasn’t going to be there. 

Never bothered to look at Will Johnson because he wasn’t going to be there

You probably never bothered to look at me either.

#Vikings DB coach Daronte Jones was in attendance at Michigan this morning to watch CB Will Johnson at his Pro Day, per @DWolfsonKSTP. Johnson is highly regarded to be the second corner taken in the draft, behind Travis Hunter. pic.twitter.com/1gaUM3svFt

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) April 14, 2025

UM CB Johnson works out; doesn’t run at private pro day … Michigan CB Will Johnson finally worked out for NFL teams at a private pro day, but opted not to run a 40. Johnson missed both the combine and Michigan’s regular pro day a hamstring injury after he missed much of the 2024 season with a toe injury. Johnson, though, did post a very good 37-inch vertical. The qu7estion dogging Johnson who remains a top 15 prospect for the next week’s draft, though, was whether he had elite foot speed and passing today isn’t going to alleviate those concerns. For the record, Georgia LB Jalon Walker, another top 10-15 prospect who has been unable to work out to date, will have a private pro day on Thursday.

It was DB Draft Day on Unbuttoned:
-CB rankings: Why I have Will Johnson over Travis Hunter
-Maxwell Hairston & Darien Porter, 2 of my favorite players in this draft
-Are Malaki Starks & Nick Emmanwori Round 1 worthy?https://t.co/UKJOcYuGP1

— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 14, 2025

As usual, he raises some eyebrows. Has Will Johnson ahead of Travis Hunter. Calls Johnson a prototype, an island corner. Tier 1. Thinks Hunter could struggle on the outside. Better in nickel or slot. But elite there. Tier 2

Has Hairston, Porter and Revel in tier 3 ahead of Barron. Calls them island corners, outside corners. Says Barron cannot play outside at all. Lance Zierlein agrees. They also mention that Daniel Jeremiah says NFL teams aren’t as high on Barron as he is. That’s interesting, because DJ’s big board is typically seen as the thought leader for a lot of draft media. Might Barron go later than all the mocks say? Calls Darien Porter maybe his favorite player in the whole draft. Thinks Starks and Emmanwori are 2nd rounders. Doesn’t trust Emmanwori’s tackling.

MaroonBells wrote:
Chris Simms on the DBs

As usual, he raises some eyebrows. Has Will Johnson ahead of Travis Hunter. Calls Johnson a prototype, an island corner. Tier 1. Thinks Hunter could struggle on the outside. Better in nickel or slot. But elite there. Tier 2

Has Hairston, Porter and Revel in tier 3 ahead of Barron. Calls them island corners, outside corners. Says Barron cannot play outside at all. Lance Zierlein agrees. They also mention that Daniel Jeremiah says NFL teams aren’t as high on Barron as he is. That’s interesting, because DJ’s big board is typically seen as the thought leader for a lot of draft media. Might Barron go later than all the mocks say? Calls Darien Porter maybe his favorite player in the whole draft. Thinks Starks and Emmanwori are 2nd rounders. Doesn’t trust Emmanwori’s tackling.

The more I read about Emmanwori, the more I wonder if he checks the many boxes Flo wants from his Safeties???

purplefaithful wrote:
The more I read about Emmanwori, the more I wonder if he checks the many boxes Flo wants from his Safeties???

Good question Do we want a big nickel? A free, a strong? Who do we trust less? Theo Jackson or 36-yo Harrison Smith? Simms says Emmanwori will be good deep, but he doesn't trust him close to the ball, which is a little counterintuitive given his size, but I've read that elsewhere too. I just want a player I can trust. For me that would be Starks if we go safety. I'd also be fine landing one of the other positions and taking a safety later.

MaroonBells wrote:

Good question Do we want a big nickel? A free, a strong? Who do we trust less? Theo Jackson or 36-yo Harrison Smith? Simms says Emmanwori will be good deep, but he doesn't trust him close to the ball, which is a little counterintuitive given his size, but I've read that elsewhere too. I just want a player I can trust. For me that would be Starks if we go safety. I'd also be fine landing one of the other positions and taking a safety later.

I hope Safety karma didnt abandon us all together when passing on Hamilton (im still butt hurt)...I say that because of the high bust rate you noted at this position

In conversations with personnel folks over the weekend, I’m told that RD1 CB prospect Will Johnson (Michigan) will “do everything but run a 40” in this morning’s workout for NFL evaluators. Considered a top-20 pick by zone-heavy defensive teams. A sniper with his eyes forward and…

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 14, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/mcshay13/status/1911766790574665988?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Like I was saying a couple weeks ago, I'd have to think he's in play for us now at #24. I'd be surprised if the history of lower body injuries and lack of speed doesn't hurt him

Jacob Parrish is a guy who doesn't get a lot of attention. Phil Simms likes him a lot and had him just after Johnson, Hunter, Hairston, Revel and Porter in a tier with Barron, but ahead of Amos and Thomas. More inside than outside. 

Jacob Parrish plays an UNHINGED brand of football.

Press technique is awesome. Plays ways above his weight. Can line up inside or out.

Reminds me of Max Melton with a Devon Witherspoon mentality. Nasty player who just wants to hit people. pic.twitter.com/Lr36VIW7zL

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 15, 2025

GUYS GOING HIGHER THAN YOU THINK IN THE DRAFT.

We did late risers with @dpbrugler on This Is Football.

His first guy? Trey Amos, cornerback from Ole Miss. We get into the cornerback class. Terrific insight from Dane. pic.twitter.com/MoAhtg5K0e

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 15, 2025

supafreak84 wrote:

Like I was saying a couple weeks ago, I'd have to think he's in play for us now at #24. I'd be surprised if the history of lower body injuries and lack of speed doesn't hurt him

Apparently he was running in the high 4.5s. Which means go back to the tape and see if it’s an issue. What’s truly weird is he goes and runs the SS which is more taxing. So, I think he’s back to 100%.

Regardless, he’s supposed to be an excellent fit for zone teams. I don’t know if we’re zone by choice or lack of man coverage guys. Rodgers excels in man. Do they draft a man guy? A zone guy?

CB prospects alignment and coverage totals pic.twitter.com/zwCGhT5A66

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) April 15, 2025

StickierBuns wrote:
CB is going to be the least popular pick with fans, but if its the BPA they might pull the trigger. We don't know who they have in the can to sign post April 29 if they have anyone. Ignoring CB might give an indication.

I'd like a shut-down CB1 who can relegate Murphy to CB2. But I don't think it's a position we give a lot of attention to after the first pick. Murphy, Blackmon, Rodgers, McGlothern and Okudah isn't a terrible group.

StickierBuns wrote:
CB is going to be the least popular pick with fans, but if its the BPA they might pull the trigger. We don't know who they have in the can to sign post April 29 if they have anyone. Ignoring CB might give an indication.

It will be, but I wouldnt be surprised at all...

My rank list of positions I see for them #1:

DT
CB
S
IOL
RB

CB is going to be the least popular pick with fans, but if its the BPA they might pull the trigger. We don't know who they have in the can to sign post April 29 if they have anyone. Ignoring CB might give an indication.