Two promising NFL Rookies with Michigan Connections
CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
AP Photo
Drafted: Round 2 (No. 47 Overall)
Will Johnson suffered one of the biggest falls of any player in the 2025 draft. Initially projected to be an early first-rounder, the Michigan product ultimately didn’t come off the board until the Cardinals stopped his slide midway through the second round.
Although a turf toe limited the cornerback to just six appearances during his final season in Ann Arbor and a hamstring injury suffered at the combine kept him sidelined for much of the pre-draft process, Arizona’s dice roll has already started to pay off.
The injury concerns that caused Johnson’s fall haven’t gone away completely—he exited Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers with a groin issue—but he’s fared well enough early on that the team can rest assured he’ll be a significant contributor when healthy.
Johnson has already been on the field for 67 percent of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps. During those plays, the 6’2″, 200-pound DB has only allowed a 54.5 completion percentage in coverage and recorded an impressive four pass defenses.
Johnson’s status for a Week 3 rivalry clash with the San Francisco 49ers remains up in the air, but he recently took to Instagram to make a post to stating “keep the faith”. That may not mean he’s sure to suit up as the up-and-coming squad tries to reach 3-0 on the year, but Arizona should have plenty of faith in Johnson’s ability to become a fixture within their secondary if he manages to stay healthy for most of his rookie season.
WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions
AP Photo
Drafted: Round 3 (No. 70 Overall)
Isaac TeSlaa and the Detroit Lions seemed like a perfect match when the club drafted him on Day 2 of the 2025 draft, but on-paper fits don’t always translate to on-field production. That hasn’t been the case here, as TeSlaa has been making the most of his limited opportunities in a crowded Detroit receiving corps.
Although the Lions returned all seven of quarterback Jared Goff’s top targets from the league’s No. 2 passing attack last year, TeSlaa has still managed to contribute on the handful of reps he’s received. Despite seeing just two targets come his way, the rookie converted both into catches that totaled 42 yards and a score.
That type of production should help TeSlaa become an even bigger factor for this Super Bowl hopeful going forward. He’s already seen his snap count increase from just three in the opener to 17 in Week 2 and his snap share will only continue to rise as he becomes more comfortable in Detroit’s system and gains more of Goff’s trust.
Standing 6’4″, 214 pounds while possessing elite athleticism and hands, the versatile TeSlaa can be utilized to create mismatches all over the field. That size and playmaking talent has helped him earn an incredible 91.9 Pro Football Focus grade over the season’s first two weeks.
While it may be difficult to sustain that lofty rating over the course of an entire rookie campaign, TeSlaa has proven he has what it takes to become a force in the NFL. He’s landed with the right team to unlock his talents as well, a dangerous combination for the rest of the league.
