The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a roster simultaneously stacked to the brim with star power yet in desperate need of impact players at several positions. An edge rusher, a defensive tackle, an offensive lineman, a cornerback -- you name the position, the Niners need it.
With the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected DE Mykel Williams from Georgia, an edge rusher who should provide high-end talent.
But, San Francisco might have made a mistake by not selecting CB Will Johnson from Michigan
Reason 1: Will Johnson is the prototypical No. 1 corner 49ers need
The 49ers defense has a talented cornerback room, with star Deommodore Lenoir and rising second-year pro Renardo Green, but they lack a "prototypical" No. 1 corner with the length and size necessary to match up with the best receivers in the NFL with the departure of Charvarius Ward in free agency.
Enter Johnson.
Johnson not only offers the prototypical size at 6-foot-2, but he was incredibly productive during his time at Michigan. Considered to be a top-five pick entering the year, injuries took a toll, limiting his performance in 2024.
But before then, he lit up the stat sheet with four interceptions and spearheaded a dominant defense for the College Football Champion Michigan Wolverines. He played in a zone-coverage scheme like that the 49ers will run with coordinator Robert Saleh. Lance Zierlein's scouting report on NFL.com highlighted how Johnson "as coveted traits and his areas of concern fail to stand out as impediments for what could be a long-successful career as a future Pro Bowler."
That is a level of talent and performance the 49ers would take without question at a major position of need, considering the young receivers in the NFC West.
Reason 2: The draft is deep at defensive line
The Niners have loaded up this draft with multiple draft picks because they need to retool multiple positions, including cornerback and the defensive line.
But a major difference between the D-line and cornerback positions in this draft is the relative depth at the position.
The defensive line, in particular, has many high-level players who will likely be available on Day 2 of the draft, and per PF,F is one of the strengths of the draft, while the cornerback position does not have that same depth and quality.
Given the likely quality of Johnson's career, the Niners might have been better off taking him and letting the draft come to them at the defensive line.
Time will tell if San Francisco made the right decision with Williams. But if Johnson has the type of career many are predicting, the 49ers may look back at the 2025 draft as another missed opportunity.