Underrated reason why new Dolphins CB intrigued teams in NFL draft

The Miami Dolphins had two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and after using the first on Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor at No. 12, they snagged San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No. 30.

Johnson, 21, impressed on the field with the Aztecs, appearing in 47 games and recording 142 tackles, 14 passes defensed, six interceptions, five forced fumbles and one sack. He also won the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Award and earned All-American honors in his final season.

Add that on-field performance to an impressive combine, and it's not hard to see why Johnson shot up teams' draft boards this year. However, San Diego State head coach Sean Lewis believes that Johnson staying with the Aztecs for all four years is an underrated reason for his ascension.

"That really differentiated himself from others, because that is the uncommon path now," Lewis said (via ESPN). "It was a big piece of the process, his loyalty, his commitment. And it was just really interesting to hear the NFL side of it, of how that was such a huge plus for them, especially with the investment that they made in him and the decisions that they were making, like, 'This is going to be a guy that we can pour into, and he's going to be committed to us.'"

Johnson enters a Dolphins cornerback room that has plenty of veterans, but without a true CB1. Asking a rookie to be the top guy in a position group is a lot, but that's likely the role Johnson will have to play in South Florida, and if he finds success, the defense could look better than expected.

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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Underrated reason why new Dolphins CB intrigued teams in NFL draft