In a recent mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts did what has become the unthinkable: they passed on Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
In many mock drafts–and when I say many, I mean many–Warren has been to go-to pick for the Colts and it’s easy to understand why given their need at the position and his do-it-all skill set.
But Josh Edwards of CBS Sports instead has the Colts addressing cornerback by taking Michigan’s Will Johnson. Warren would end up going a pick later to Atlanta.
For what it’s worth, in quite a few mock drafts, Johnson is a top-five pick and he’s Edward’s top cornerback in this class.
At 6-2 – 202 pounds, Johnson has good size. A turf toe injury cut his 2024 season short to just six games. But over his three year playing career, Johnson allowed a completion rate of just 53%, 13.4 yards per catch, and had nine interceptions with seven pass breakups.
“Will Johnson has the potential to be the best cornerback to come out of this class,” wrote Edwards. “I think there is a bit of fatigue among media, similar to what happened with Derek Stingley Jr., when it comes to Johnson. Based on how he played in 2023, before the injury, he had a Patrick Surtain II-type outlook.”
Along with tight end, cornerback is another pressing need for the Colts. Last season, the Indianapolis pass defense ranked in the bottom 10 of the NFL in pass deflections, completion rate, yards per pass allowed, and quarterback passer rating.
“We’ve got to get better,” said Chris Ballard about the cornerback and safety positions.
New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme has helped orchestrate some productive defensive backfields during his tenure with Cincinnati. But what also needs to be a part of the equation when it comes to turning the Colts’ secondary around is adding more talent and competition.
