The New Orleans Saints have put themselves in a position to where they can’t be too picky in the 2025 NFL draft — this team needs talent ejections at almost every position. Maybe that means drafting a left guard in the first round, or a running back, or a cornerback. After trading Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, that last spot looks at least a little less steady.
So who could fit that team need? ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has them taking Michigan Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson at ninth overall. Here’s why:
Johnson — who reads the QB incredibly well and has the quickness to finish plays with takeaways — could be the Marshon Lattimore replacement in New Orleans. Johnson had nine interceptions over his career at Michigan. The Saints seemingly always find their way out of their salary cap issues, but they are projected to be $70.6 million over the cap in 2025, per Roster Management System. They have to find Day 1 starters in the draft, and Johnson would fill a big hole. New Orleans allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt this season, ranking 23rd in the league.
Johnson is a blue-chip prospect in this year’s draft. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, rare size even by NFL standards, with strong ball skills. Just 18 players in all of college football have as many interceptions since 2022, and of the group Johnson ranks third in return yards (237).
Alontae Taylor regressed in 2024, and Paulson Adebo is a free agent they may not be able to afford. There’s a lot of optimism surrounding Kool-Aid McKinstry but you need three corners to compete in today’s game, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on the second-year pro.
So someone like Johnson could make sense. He seemed like a lock to be a top-five pick in the 2025 draft before a toe injury limited him to just six games last season. Still, he’s an impressive talent with just two touchdown catches allowed on more than 800 snaps in coverage in his Wolverines career. It wouldn’t be tough for the Saints to justify this pick.
