ROTB You Make the Call (cast your vote in the poll)
One of my favorite NFL draft pundits, Peter Schrager, who typically has a good sense of whom the Cardinals might draft, posted his one-time-only mock draft today on ESPN and here was his pick for the Arizona Cardinals:
2025 NFL mock draft: Peter Schrager’s Round 1 pick predictions – ESPN
16. Arizona Cardinals
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Thorpe Award winner is the top corner in this class not named Travis Hunter. The Cardinals have been quietly adding premier talent through the draft the past few years. Remember: Head coach Jonathan Gannon is a defensive backs coach by trade. This one makes a lot of sense.
Note: As we know, Michigan’s Will Johnson has been garnering avid interest from a number of passionate Cardinals’ fans. And if this draft could be taken a year earlier, Johnson most likely would have been the consensus #1 CB on the board.
Schrages has Johnson going here:
28. Detroit Lions
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson’s stock has slipped a bit. He had a foot injury last season and was inconsistent for the Wolverines. He also sat out Michigan’s pro day because of a hamstring injury.
He’s a top-level talent, though, and he’d be the perfect corner to complement Terrion Arnold.
Let’s get right to the most recent comparisons with regard to Barron and Johnson. Advantage in each category will be in BOLD.
Height/Weight:
- Barron:5-11, 200
- Johnson: 6-2, 203
40:
- Barron: 4.39
- Johnson: did not run a 40 at his pro day
10-Yard Split:
- Barron: 1.50
- Johnson: N/A
Vert:
- Barron: 35.5”
- Johnson: 33.5”
2024 PFF Grades:
Overall:
- Barron: 90.7
- Johnson: 76.5
Coverage:
- Barron: 91.1
- Johnson: 76.7
Run Defense:
- Barron: 83.4
- Johnson: 73.7
Completion %:
- Barron: 54.4%
- Johnson: 61.5%
Man Coverage:
- Barron: 69.0
- Johnson: 50.6
Zone Coverage:
- Barron: 91.5
- Johnson: 75.0
QB —- RTG:
- Barron: 34.2
- Johnson: 52.6
2023 PFF Grades:
Overall:
- Barron: 71.5
- Johnson: 78.9
Run Defense:
- Barron: 76.5
- Johnson: 72.6
Tackling:
- Barron: 70.1
- Johnson: 69.0
Coverage:
- Barron: 69.6
- Johnson: 78.5
PFF Big Board Ranking:
- Barron: 7
- Johnson: 13
7. CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Player comp: Stephon Gilmore
Strengths
- Adequate size and strength for run defense/tackling from slot
- Good closing speed
- Power and strength to work through blocks for tackles
- Experience and comfort at the linebacker level
- Very good feel for spot zone coverage
- Good eyes and anticipation no matter where he is lined up
- Versatility for any DB spot
Weaknesses
- Hips a little slower to flip to match route breaks
- Can get uncomfortable when his back is to the ball. Better in 2024
- Can get handsy if he doubts his speed in a situation
- Top speed is better than acceleration
13. CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Player comp: Darius Slay
Strengths
- Change-of-direction ability is that of a much smaller corner
- Versatile to play on left or right side. Can shadow WR1s
- Very good understanding of leverages
- Smooth when passing off receivers and picking them up in zone
- Can play confidently in the slot if needed
- Fluid transitions from backpedal to shuffle to full stride
- Understands contain in run fits
Weaknesses
- Some inconsistent/ineffective timing with punches in press
- Top speed is good, but doesn’t appear to be in the top tier with recovery
- Sloppy with tackling attempts in 2024
NFL.com Big Board Ranking:
- Barron: 6.42
- Johnson: 6.50
ESPN Matt Miller’s Big Board Ranking:
- Barron: 11
- Johnson: 7
Mel Kiper’s Big Board rankings:
11. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194
2024 stats over six games: 21 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs
Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball. Johnson returned both of his interceptions last season for touchdowns, and you can see those instincts throughout his first pick-six in Michigan’s opener against Fresno State — when he jumped a screen and took the ball 86 yards to the house. He has nine career picks. Johnson missed the team’s last six games with a toe injury and then skipped Michigan’s pro day with a hamstring injury.
20. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194
2024 stats over 16 games: 67 tackles, 2.5 tackle for loss, 5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups
Barron is extremely versatile, with the ability to line up out wide, over the slot or even at safety. He is an excellent tackler, and he showed his advanced ball skills in 2024. Barron is instinctive and times everything out so well on the field, driving on the ball. He also has a little pass-rush upside when turned loose as a blitzer. The biggest question about Barron’s game was his speed, and he answered it with a scorching 4.39 in the 40 at the combine. He pops on the tape and has steadily climbed the board.
Matt Miller’s Big Board ESPN
7. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194 | Grade: 93
Comp: Trevon Diggs
NFL teams looking for the next Pat Surtain II will love Johnson. He has prototypical size and speed, as well as excellent ball skills. He grabbed two interceptions last season — both of which were returned for touchdowns. Despite battling through injury, Johnson allowed only one completion of more than 20 yards in the six games he played and is rarely thrown at. He has the talent and traits to be a great NFL cornerback right out of the gate. Johnson did not work out at the combine and didn’t participate at Michigan’s pro day due to a minor hamstring injury. He plans to hold a private workout for teams on Monday.
11. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194 | Grade: 93
Comp: Cooper DeJean
Barron was a playmaker for the Texas secondary last season, allowing only 20 receptions on 51 targets while also grabbing five interceptions and taking home the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back. Formerly used as a slot cornerback, he moved to right corner in 2024 and played as well as any corner in the country. After beginning the season as an early-Day-3 guy, Barron is a lock for Round 1 following a combine performance that saw him run a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. That explosive speed showed that he can play on the outside or inside at the next level.
“Coaches at Texas rave about Barron’s instincts and leadership, and those traits show up on the tape,” Miller wrote. “The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has inside-outside versatility thanks to experience at both slot and outside cornerback, and some scouts think his best position is at the nickel. Player comp. Lions Pro Bowl defensive back Brian Branch.
Highlight Videos:
2024 Snaps by Position
- Barron —- 679 at CB, 122 in Slot, 142 in Box
- Johnson —- 245 at CB, 8 in Slot, 23 in Box
While scouts are hailing Jahdae Barron’s ability to play in the slot, he is an extremely talented perimeter CB both versus the run and pass. His versatility is outstanding, which is why it is a mistake to try to pigeonhole him. He is a superb zone and man CB, no matter where the coaches put him. Plus, he’s got a Budda Baker kind of dawg in him when it comes to flying downhill to the ball and tackling. It would be a real treat to see Budda and Jahdae in the same backfield.
Will Johnson is a superior zone CB in size, stature and level of play. When it comes to making plays on the ball in front of him, he is tremendously instinctive and productive. Plus, he brings a level of swag that his teammates love to feed off of. It would be a real treat to see him thrive particularly in Nick Rallis’ elaborate and creative zone packages.
ROTB Make the Call:
Your vote and why?