The San Francisco 49ers may have pulled out a win over the Seattle Seahawks in wild fashion in Week 1, but this team is still far from perfect. The lack of talent on defense could be the Achilles' heel that ruins their Super Bowl chances this season. For a team with aspirations this high, glaring weaknesses can't be swept under the rug.
If only they had a cornerback like Will Johnson on the roster.
The Arizona Cardinals' rookie proved his doubters wrong in his NFL debut, making the teams that passed on him (including the 49ers) look silly in the process.
Will Johnson is making the 49ers regret their draft choices
Throughout the draft process, Johnson was viewed as a first-round talent. He played a major role in Michigan's National Championship run in 2023 and entered his final collegiate season as one of the top prospects in the country.
But lingering concerns about his long-term health caused the cornerback to slide down rankings as the draft approached. Ultimately, most teams in the NFL were too worried about his injury history to take a chance on him. The 49ers even had a chance to draft him in the second round, but they took defensive tackle Alfred Collins instead. Just four picks later, their division rivals scooped the cornerback up.
The Cardinals' rookie looked like an absolute star against the New Orleans Saints. He was targeted seven times and allowed just four catches for 32 yards. He had an interception that got called back for a penalty and three deflected passes. Johnson was all over the field on Sunday, making one big play after another. He was a starting-caliber cornerback from the moment he stepped on the field. He was even awarded a spot on PFF's team of the week.
Sure, the Sants' receiving corps isn't exactly the toughest test, especially with Spencer Rattler under center, but the Cardinals' rookie looked like a first-round talent throughout the game.
Meanwhile, San Francisco rookie Upton Stout struggled to stick with Seahawks receivers in his debut. He allowed three catches on five targets and earned an abysmal coverage grade of 29.8 from PFF. Stout may still develop into a quality starter, but there's no doubt Johnson was the better player on Sunday.
If the Niners had drafted the former Michigan cornerback, it would have allowed Deommodore Lenoir to move back to the nickel. San Francisco would have had one of the best cornerback units in the league, even after losing Charvarius Ward. Instead, fans are forced to watch Johnson succeed with a division foe.