Brian Baldinger reviewed Will Johnson’s Cardinals preseason opener against Kansas City, praising Johnson’s technique, length and physicality, and projecting him as a potential red-zone asset as Arizona builds a more disruptive front seven. He cautioned that Johnson must clean up hand usage to avoid penalties that escalate at the NFL level. Johnson, in limited action, showed enough to confirm route-tree versatility, but is not expected to see heavy action in the next tune-up versus Denver. The overall read is optimistic: Johnson has the tools and intangibles to grow into a meaningful NFL contributor if discipline and coaching progress keep pace with his measurables.

Johnson’s ascent would hinge on how Nick Rallis deploys length and speed in coverage and in the Cardinals’ pass rush, plus Johnson’s ability to translate preseason polish to regular-season nuance. The Rise Up, See Red podcast teases more Cardinals coverage as the preseason rolls on. For fantasy managers, Johnson is a watch-list target—late-round potential who could push for a larger role if he earns red-zone targets and doesn’t force the offense with penalties.