Pro Football Rumors
The Dolphins continue to shuffle paperwork for their picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. A day after landing the signatures of 10 drafted rookies, Miami has followed up with the completion of negotiations with both its first-round picks. While the team made an announcement for the signing of No. 12 overall pick Kadyn Proctor this afternoon, it was NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that announced No. 27 overall pick Chris Johnson‘s signing.
As a three-star recruit out of Roosevelt HS (CA), Johnson didn’t have a ton of options, but he chose to stay fairly close to home when committing to San Diego State over offers from Northwestern, Boston College, Boise State, and Army. After playing minimally as a true freshman, Johnson began to rotate in more on defense in Year 2, recording his first interception, a forced fumble, and two passes defensed. Earning a starting role as a junior, Johnson began to break out, consistently finding the ball with another interception, five passes defensed, and three forced fumbles.
After a senior season in which he completed his breakout with four interceptions (for 146 yards and two touchdowns), eight passes defensed, and another forced fumble, Johnson secured his status as the presumed CB3 in the draft class but ended up being the second corner taken after Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy slid due to injury. Johnson boasts quick, fluid hips and strong instincts. He tends to toy with passers, baiting them into making throws that allow him to take advantage of good hands for a defender. He shows good-not-great speed but has solid recovery quickness. He’ll likely need to bulk up at the pro level, but the effort is there physically.
Miami saw cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Jack Jones depart in free agency, and veteran Rasul Douglas‘ contract expired this offseason, as well. Making his way across the country, Johnson should immediately have a pathway to a starting role across from Darrell Baker in a young, inexperienced secondary. He may encounter some challenge for the role, but with the Dolphins trading up to land him, it may just be his job to lose.
With all the work Miami’s put in over the past two days, only Mississippi State fifth-round tight end Seydou Traore remains un-signed. Here’s a look at the team’s 13-man draft class:
