Dolphins select fundamentally sound CB Chris Johnson out of SDSU at No. 27

Big day for the Dolphins, who added a cornerback at pick No. 27. Here’s what you need to know about San Diego State’s Chris Johnson.

Stats & Accolades

• 2022: (6 games played), 6 tackles

• 2023: (12 games played), 30 tackles, pass breakup, interception, forced fumble

• 2024: (12 games played, 2 starts), 67 tackles, 4 pass breakups, interception, 3 forced fumbles, Honorable Mention All-Mountain West

• 2025: (11 games played, 11 starts), 49 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, 9 pass breakups, 4 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns, forced fumble, Second-Team All-American, Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Mountain West

What the Dolphins are getting:

Johnson is a high-floor cornerback who progressed rapidly in college from a backup his first two seasons into the conference’s co-defensive player of the year and a Second-Team All-American. His work ethic and drive served him well as he drilled and drilled the fundamentals of the position to make sure he could rely on them in the game’s biggest moments. He’s always calm and cool under pressure, making him a candidate to step into a starting lineup immediately. Whether it’s in man or zone, Johnson knows how to do the most without overexerting himself on a play-by-play basis.

Strengths

• Fundamentally sound and he relies on it as his bedrock in all moments of a game
• Scheme-independent player who offers high floor as both a man or zone defender
• Sticks in the hip pocket of receivers coiled ready to strike when the ball arrives at the catch point
• Elite footwork and fluid transitions in and out of breaks

Weakness

• Looks to have a little bit of a hitch at the top of his backpedal
• Will take his lumps against bigger receivers
• Recovery speed is lacking

Athletic Testing/Measurables

• Height: 6’0 ⅜”
• Weight: 193 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.40 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.54 seconds