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Arizona Cardinals rookie Will Johnson had a standout performance in his first NFL game
The Buffalo Bills are still glowing after their impressive victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. However, when a team is riding high, there always seems to be something negative to bring them down to earth.
In the Bills’ impressive victory, first-round pick cornerback Maxwell Hairston wasn’t on the field. Hairston sustained a knee injury in late July, missing the entire preseason. He will also miss at least the next three games because the team placed him on injured reserve at the end of training camp.
Even though Hairston hasn’t played in an NFL game yet, Fansided’s Lior Lampert thinks the Bills drafted the wrong cornerback and should’ve drafted Will Johnson instead.
“The five-time reigning AFC East champions missed out on a budding star if Week 1 of the 2025 NFL campaign is any indication,” Lampert wrote Tuesday. “Johnson was spectacular in the Arizona Cardinals‘ 20-13 road victory over the New Orleans Saints. His presence was felt and pivotal to Arizona winning, showcasing the talent that once made him a top-five prospect. Meanwhile, Hairston was on the sideline in regular clothes for the Bills while dealing with a second injury he suffered since joining them. Yeesh.”
The Bills Passed on Will Johnson
As Johnson entered his final season at Michigan last year, many praised him as one of the nation’s leading cornerbacks.
In August of 2024, The Athletic’s draft analyst, Dane Brugler, ranked Johnson as the No. 1 draft-eligible cornerback heading into the season.
“For a tall, long corner, Johnson has outstanding short-area agility and body control, which allow him to redirect and mirror routes quickly,” Brugler wrote. “Whether he is jamming from press or playing off coverage, he stays loose through his hips, making it easier for him to sink and transition. Johnson is also above average in his technique and the way he processes route combinations.”
Johnson missed the second half of last season because of a turf toe injury, which resulted in him slipping down draft boards. Ultimately, the Cardinals selected him in the second round.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson achieved the second-highest overall grade among all cornerbacks in Week 1, as well as the second-best coverage grade.
Hairston Could Struggle When He Returns
Johnson could’ve been the missing piece to the Bills’ defense this season. But the team will have to wait and see how Hairston performs when he returns from his injury.
The expectations for Hairston should be low since he missed most of training camp. It’s tough for a rookie to jump right into action in the middle of the season, especially after coming back from injury without any live reps in the preseason.
The Bills will face the New England Patriots in Week 5, marking the earliest opportunity for Hairston to make his return. If he takes the field for that game, he could go up against former Bills receiver Stefon Diggs.
Danny Fisher Is a football journalist covering the Buffalo Bills for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL for Gridiron Heroics, focusing on the AFC and Penn State football for Nittany Central. More about Danny Fisher
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