TEMPE, Ariz. — The journey from being a projected first-day NFL draft pick to being selected on the second day was a rollercoaster for cornerback Will Johnson. Drafted No. 47 by the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson has transformed his initial frustration into a powerful motivator as he embarks on his professional football career.

"I think I've been able to move on," Johnson shared. "I'm just happy to be here, happy to get to work, and I know it's going to be something special here, so I'm excited for it."

A New Chapter Begins

After completing his first rookie minicamp, Johnson has started integrating with the Cardinals' veterans, getting a real taste of NFL life. His early interactions with the playbook and virtual meetings with position coach Ryan Smith have left him optimistic about his role on the field.

"That scheme is amazing," Johnson said. "It's a cornerback's dream, so I'm excited to play in it. I'm excited to get comfortable with it and just learn more about it."

Learning the Ropes

Johnson's experience at Michigan, under defensive coordinators Jesse Minter and Wink Martindale, has provided him with a solid foundation. However, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon points out the inevitable learning curve Johnson will face transitioning from college to the NFL.

"The quarterbacks here can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball accurately on time," Gannon explained. "That's an adjustment for those guys. There's not a lot of time to make up ground throughout the down to win that down up here."

The Road Ahead

Johnson is aware that mastering new schemes, systems, and techniques will take time and plenty of practice. The Cardinals' flexible defensive strategy allows him to adapt and find the best fit for his skills within the team's framework.

"We allow those guys to play with some different answers, so to speak," Gannon said. "It's not this is what I want to do and this is how you're going to do it. It's what fits best for you as it relates to the defense."

As Johnson continues through the offseason program, the focus will be on individual and group drills, setting the stage for the next phase where he will face the league's speed in offense vs. defense drills. This will be a critical period for Johnson to learn what it truly means to be an NFL cornerback.

"It'll be an adjustment for them," Gannon noted. "But lining up and covering a guy, they've been doing it for a while. That doesn't change as much, but what changes is they're going to look up and the ball's going to be on them."