The Miami Dolphins move up and officially select San Diego State CB Chris Johnson with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After the Miami Dolphins shocked the NFL world by selecting Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor with the No. 12 pick, they remain on the xxx side of the ball.
After trading down to No. 12, the Dolphins have now moved up to No. 27, sending the San Francisco 49ers the No. 30 and No. 90 picks to do so, and getting back the No. 138 pick. After moving up, the team has taken San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson.
Johnson had been one of the top cornerbacks mentioned in the first round, though not as highly as LSU's Mansoor Delane. Regardless, he is a rangy secondary defender that comes with not allowing a single touchdown in 2025.
Johnson has the ball hawk abilities that could benefit the Dolphins secondary greatly. He has strong instincts, and ended his colegiate career being ranked the second-rated cornerback on Pro Football Focus with an overall grade of 91.6 and third-ranked coverage grade of 92.4.
Johnson secured six interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, 14 passes defended, five forced fumbles, and one sack through four seasons with San Diego State.
The Dolphins were set on rebuilding their secondary, and bringing in Johnson gives them a potential day-one starter who may also be moved to safety. The rookie plays the ball like a wide receiver, sticking with his routes and making it hard for receivers to make any kind of play.
On top of his coverage abilities, Johnson also has an excitable nature when it comes to playing in run stopping instances. He also became a huge factor in special teams situations, playing over 600 snaps in his collegiate career, and often as a gunner.
The Dolphins need versatile players, and Johnson fits that bill. Though he may end up playing cornerback, his ability to move around could place him as a safety and reliable special teams piece that Miami can continue to shift all over the field.
Johnson is a solid pick. The Dolphins may not have needed to trade up to land him, but he is a good cornerback for a secondary that has many questions.