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Dolphins need their new CB to be the next Quinyon Mitchell or Sauce Gardner
TL;DR
The Miami Dolphins selected cornerback Chris Johnson with the 27th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping he will emulate the success of Quinyon Mitchell and Sauce Gardner. This bold choice comes amid other cornerbacks with first-round potential still available.
Key points
- Miami Dolphins selected Chris Johnson in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Johnson was the 27th pick after a trade-up
- Dolphins hope he becomes the next Quinyon Mitchell or Sauce Gardner
Chris JohnsonQuinyon MitchellSauce GardnerMiami Dolphins
Dolphins need their new CB to be the next Quinyon Mitchell or Sauce Gardner originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Dolphins made two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, one of which was the 27th pick in the draft after a small trade-up.
Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley landed their first defensive player in San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. It was a bold pick, especially with other corners on the board who've garnered first-round interest.
For this pick to be a success, the Dolphins will need their new cornerback to become the next Quinyon Mitchell and Sauce Gardner. But how? ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques revealed how Johnson can be a good pick, and it's a simple question he must answer.
Dolphins need Chris Johnson to be next Quinyon Mithcell, Sauce Gardner
"Will his game translate at the next level? It's low-hanging fruit for any prospect coming out of a Group of 5 conference, but Johnson had limited reps against NFL-caliber competition," Louis-Jacques writes. "Sauce Gardner and Quinyon Mitchell both made the transition smoothly, and the Dolphins hope they have found the next great Group of 5 cornerback."
The Dolphins took a big chance with the Johnson pick, as he's not nearly as experienced as NFL-level receivers like some other cornerbacks are.
Coming out of San Diego State, a big question Johnson will need to answer is whether he can hang with the NFL-caliber receivers.
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Q&A
Who did the Miami Dolphins select in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Miami Dolphins selected cornerback Chris Johnson with the 27th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What do the Dolphins need from Chris Johnson to succeed?
The Dolphins need Chris Johnson to develop into a player comparable to Quinyon Mitchell or Sauce Gardner for the pick to be considered a success.
Why was Chris Johnson's selection considered bold?
Chris Johnson's selection was considered bold because other cornerbacks who had garnered first-round interest were still available at the time of the pick.
