As long as Jim Harbaugh is the coach the LA Chargers will be connected to the University of Michigan in the NFL Draft. These connections are even stronger in Harbaugh's first few seasons where the draft prospects were directly coached by him in college.
The Chargers selected two players from Michigan in 2024 (linebacker Junior Colson and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson) and may be gearing up to do so again in 2025. Tight end Colston Loveland, defensive lineman Kenneth Grant, and cornerback Will Johnson are all Michigan players who the Chargers could draft in the first round.
Loveland is viewed as the proverbial dream target but may not be on the board by the time the Chargers are on the clock. Grant and Johnson are both strong backup plans, depending if either falls to the No. 22 pick.
The latest draft intel suggests that Johnson is the more likely of the two to fall to the Chargers, but for the wrong reasons. Per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, concerns about Johnson's long speed and potential knee issues may cause him to slide in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
That slide should continue past the Chargers if Johnson is still on the board at 22.
Chargers must avoid Will Johnson after latest draft intel
Sometimes it is okay to take a chance on a player who falls in the draft because of medical concerns. After all, the only way Loveland will fall to the Bolts is if teams overthink about his offseason shoulder surgery, resulting in him sliding.
That is a completely different situation from a lingering knee injury, though. Loveland's injury may impact his short-term output but shouldn't be a long-term concern. Johnson's injury is something that can resurface and hurt the team down the stretch.
If Johnson was a can't-miss cornerback prospect who was going to come in and place like Sauce Gardner it would be easier to swallow. Johnson is undoubtedly talented, but he is not going to be the next coming of Pat Surtain.
Throw in injury concerns and the fact that the Chargers are serviceable at cornerback already and there is no reason to force a risk. If Johnson played for any other college team it wouldn't even be a discussion. Hopefully, his ties to Harbaugh don't get him preferential treatment.
Who knows, maybe Johnson will be off the board before the No. 22 pick and the Chargers won't have to even think about it. But if Johnson is on the board, the Bolts must stay away.