The Buffalo Bills have a rising young star at cornerback in Christian Benford, a player they just gave a lucrative contract extension.  

While his place is locked down as CB1, the other outside corner position opposite Benford is perhaps the Bills' biggest question mark this offseason. The club brought back veteran Dane Jackson, ended the Kaiir Elam experiment with a trade to the Cowboys, and last year’s starter Rasul Douglas remains a free agent.

If the Bills decide to go corner early in the draft, Michigan’s Will Johnson could be one of the top options.

What You Need To Know

  • Michigan CB Will Johnson
  • 6’2, 194 lbs.
  • Nine INT over the past three seasons in college
  • National Championship Game Defensive MVP

Johnson has a knack for making big plays with nine interceptions over the past three seasons. He was defensive MVP of the National Championship game for Michigan in the 2023 season and set the school record with three picks returned for touchdowns in his career. 

“I think that really just comes from preparation,” Johnson said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Me knowing what I might get here and knowing where my help is and what my technique is. That just helps me trust it and go make that play. It’s time where you don’t make the play, it’s time where you do so at corner you’ve got to be able to just trust it and trust yourself.”

Johnson has an ideal height at 6’2, but there are some questions from scouts about his overall speed, arm length, and tackling. Still, he thrived in college and believes he can play in zone or man coverage at the next level. He looks up to some great corners in the NFL, including the most recent defensive player of the year. 

“Pat Surtain, that’s a guy I’ve always watched for a while growing up. I like his patience that he plays with, his technique,” Johnson said. “Jaycee Horn, I like that dog he plays with. He’s still got the technique and things too. And then Jalen Ramsey, he’s just a playmaker. Go out there and get it done.”

Johnson has dealt with some injuries the past couple of seasons - but he figures to be one of the first corners off the board when the draft kicks off later this month, question is, would he be around if the Bills want him at the end of the first round.