The Miami Dolphins traded up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson with the 27th overall pick. Miami sent their original No. 30 pick and a third-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 27th pick and a later fourth-rounder. Johnson became the second cornerback taken in the draft and the first San Diego State player selected in the first round since Rashaad Penny in 2018. He’s also the first defensive Aztec taken in the first round since Willie Buchanon in 1972.
At 6-foot, 193 pounds, Johnson brings excellent size, speed, and instincts to the Dolphins’ secondary. The Long Beach native and Eastvale product walked on at SDSU and stayed all four years, developing into one of the top defensive backs in the Mountain West. He capped his senior season with 4 interceptions — including two pick-sixes — while earning First Team All-Mountain West and Second Team All-American honors. Scouts praised his clean film, ball skills, and versatility in both man and zone coverage.
Johnson’s selection ends a three-year NFL Draft drought for the Aztecs and marks the 10th first-round pick in San Diego State history. The former three-star recruit from Eleanor Roosevelt High School earned the loyalty of SDSU fans by never entering the transfer portal. Head coach Sean Lewis highlighted not just Johnson’s tape, but his character and work ethic as the qualities that set him apart.
For the Dolphins, the pick addresses a clear need in the secondary under new defensive coaching. Johnson is viewed as a high-upside player who can compete for snaps immediately and contribute on special teams. His combination of length, speed, and playmaking ability should fit well in Miami’s defensive scheme.
Draft night was a proud moment for the entire San Diego State community. From modest recruiting rankings to becoming a first-round selection who stayed home, Chris Johnson’s journey is a reminder of what hard work and loyalty can achieve. Dolphins fans now have a new young corner to root for as his NFL career begins in South Florida.
At 6-foot, 193 pounds, Johnson brings excellent size, speed, and instincts to the Dolphins’ secondary. The Long Beach native and Eastvale product walked on at SDSU and stayed all four years, developing into one of the top defensive backs in the Mountain West. He capped his senior season with 4 interceptions — including two pick-sixes — while earning First Team All-Mountain West and Second Team All-American honors. Scouts praised his clean film, ball skills, and versatility in both man and zone coverage.
Johnson’s selection ends a three-year NFL Draft drought for the Aztecs and marks the 10th first-round pick in San Diego State history. The former three-star recruit from Eleanor Roosevelt High School earned the loyalty of SDSU fans by never entering the transfer portal. Head coach Sean Lewis highlighted not just Johnson’s tape, but his character and work ethic as the qualities that set him apart.
For the Dolphins, the pick addresses a clear need in the secondary under new defensive coaching. Johnson is viewed as a high-upside player who can compete for snaps immediately and contribute on special teams. His combination of length, speed, and playmaking ability should fit well in Miami’s defensive scheme.
Draft night was a proud moment for the entire San Diego State community. From modest recruiting rankings to becoming a first-round selection who stayed home, Chris Johnson’s journey is a reminder of what hard work and loyalty can achieve. Dolphins fans now have a new young corner to root for as his NFL career begins in South Florida.
