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Arizona Cardinals had the ‘best value’ pick in the second round after taking Michigan football All-American

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Arizona Cardinals had the ‘best value’ pick in the second round after taking Michigan football All-American


After a pair of All-American seasons with Michigan football, cornerback Will Johnson was a one-time projected top-five draft pick. But Johnson played in just six games for the Wolverines this past season, didn’t participate in the NFL Combine, nor was he able to display his skills in Michigan’s Pro Day. With the lingering injury concerns, Johnson’s draft stock dropped.

Johnson fell out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and had to wait a little while for his name to be called in the second round. But finally, with the 47th pick, the Arizona Cardinals took Johnson in hopes of him becoming a Patrick Peterson type player for Arizona.

After dropping so far, ESPN’s Matt Miller named Johnson as the best value pick in Round 2 of the draft.

Getting Johnson at this spot represented a 40-pick value based on my predraft rankings. Johnson fills the Cardinals’ biggest need and has true All-Pro potential. That isn’t usually found in Round 2. There are long-term injury concerns but the reward on this pick could be the highest of any in this class.

– Matt Miller

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After being selected, Johnson expressed his frustrations with falling in the draft. The Wolverines’ cornerback vowed that he was healthy and he would play with a chip on his shoulder. Johnson’s talent is undeniable. During Michigan’s national title run in 2023, Johnson was arguably the most dominant cornerback in college football. He shut down Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., and Washington’s Rome Odunze — two of the top playmakers in college football that year.

Assuming Johnson can stay healthy, he will prove to be the steal of the draft being selected with the 47th pick.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Social media has strong take on Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards going undrafted, signing with Jets

Michigan football gains second commitment on Saturday

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Michigan Football: Arizona Cardinals CB Will Johnson ‘frustrated’ with fall, vows he’s healthy

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Arizona’s Fifita, ASU’s Tyson make All-Big 12 First Team

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Arizona’s Fifita, ASU’s Tyson make All-Big 12 First Team


Three Arizona Wildcats and three Arizona State Sun Devils made the 2025 All-Big 12 First Team, including UA quarterback Noah Fifita and ASU wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the conference announced on Thursday.

Fifita was joined by Arizona defensive backs Dalton Johnson and Treydan Stukes on the First Team.

For ASU, Tyson, running back Raleek Brown and defensive back Keith Abney II received the honors.

Arizona and ASU finished both finished with 6-3 conference records and await their respective bowl game assignments. The Wildcats came out on top of this year’s Territorial Cup matchup in Tempe.

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No Wildcats or Sun Devils won individual awards, as BYU running back LJ Martin won the Offensive Player of the Year, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez the Defensive Player of the Year and BYU’s Kalani Sitake the Coach of the Year for the conference.

Fifita and Tyson were both listed as honorable mentions for the Offensive Player of the Year, and Johnson was an honorable mention for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Arizona Wildcats on the All-Big 12 teams

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

First Team: QB Noah Fifita, DB Treydan Stukes, DB Dalton Johnson

Third Team: WR Kris Hutson, LB Taye Brown, DB Jay’Vion Cole, DB Genesis Smith

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Honorable mentions: OL Ty Buchanan, RB Ismail Mahdi, DL Deshawn McKnight, DL Mays Pese, DL Tiaoalii Savea, WR Tre Spivey, WR Javin Whatley

Fifita threw for 2,963 passing yards and 26 touchdowns to only five interceptions this season, starting all 12 regular season games. In conference games, he finished third in passing yards, second in completion percentage and second in touchdown passes among Big 12 quarterbacks. He tossed 11 touchdowns with one interception over his final six games, leading the Wildcats to a nine-win season for the second time in three years.

Johnson and Stukes each intercepted four passes in conference play, tied for the Big 12 lead this season. Johnson also finished third with 81 tackles.

Arizona State Sun Devils on the All-Big 12 teams

Running back Raleek Brown #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils

(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

First Team: WR Jordyn Tyson, DB Keith Abney II, RB Raleek Brown

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Second Team: OL Max Iheanachor, LB Jordan Crook, LB Keyshaun Elliott

Third Team: DL Prince Dorbah, DL Justin Wodtly, DB Myles Rowser

Honorable mentions: WR Derek Eusebio, K Jesus Gomez, TE Chamon Metayer

Tyson dealt with injuries this season and missed three games, but he still managed to gain 711 receiving yards with eight touchdowns. He is projected to land in the top 10 of the NFL Draft this upcoming spring, potentially as the first wide receiver off the board.

Abney led the Big 12 with nine pass breakups to go along with two interceptions in conference play, one of which sealed a victory over West Virginia.

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Brown finished the Big 12 season third in the conference 849 rushing yards, 255 of which came during a dominant performance against Colorado in ASU’s penultimate regular season game. His 1,141 rushing yards on the season ranked second among Big 12 running backs.






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Arizona Cardinals designate DL L.J. Collier to return from IR

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Arizona Cardinals designate DL L.J. Collier to return from IR



Collier has been out since Week 2 with a knee injury.

The Arizona Cardinals could have some defensive line reinforcements soon. On Wednesday, they designated defensive lineman L.J. Collier to return from injured reserve. That move opened a 21-day window allowing him to participate in practice.

Getting designated to return means that he must be activated during or at the conclusion of the 21-day window or revert to IR for the rest of the season.

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Collier injured his knee in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. He has one tackle in two games this season.

Last season, he had a career season. In 17 games with 15 starts, he had 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. They were career-high marks in games, tackles and sacks, and he tied his career-high in tackles for loss.

In his third season with the Cardinals, he has been unlucky with injuries. He played in just one game in 2023, losing the rest of his season to a torn biceps. He played in all 17 games last season and missed 10 games after two games this year.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.



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Arizona Cardinals ink former Pittsburgh Steelers preseason star

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Arizona Cardinals ink former Pittsburgh Steelers preseason star


Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota is signing with the Arizona Cardinals just one week after he was cut by the New Orleans Saints.

Leota played in three games for the Saints this season. The Steelers let go of Leota during final cut downs in August despite having a standout preseason for the team.

A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Leota was an undrafted free agent in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made the practice squad for the Panthers to start the year before being elevated in November. The 6-foot-3 linebacker can play both inside and outside but had stood out as an edge rusher for the Steelers during the preseason.

Leota played for the Auburn Tigers and Northwestern Wildcats during his college career, and lost most of his final collegiate season with a torn pectoral muscle. He had 7.5 sacks in his first season with the Tigers.

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In a crowded room, Leota still flashed and was able to separate himself enough to get noticed by other teams, and now, get a spot on an active gameday roster.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have lots of talent in their outside linebacker room and have four players they are comfortable with right now, which left Leota on the outside looking in.



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