The wait is over. On Thursday evening with the 27th pick in the 1st round of the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Chris Johnson, defensive back of San Diego State.
For four years Aztec Nation saw Johnson climb the summit of his development, from a promising freshman to SDSU’s and the Mountain West’s lock down cornerback. For months the NFL world saw his draft status climb the projections of the all weekend event.
Johnson finished his outstanding senior campaing for the Aztecs as Mountain West co-defensive player of the year, a 2nd team All-American, and the 2025 Pro Football Focus All-American first Team. In Johnson’s NFL Combine performances he posted times such as 4.4 in the 40 and having the top athleticism score at the Combine. All this coming from a player competing against those in the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12.
As more game tape began to hit NFL scouting and general manager’s desks, the build-up was tremendous.
Still a surprise to see Johnson picked in the 1st round—he becomes the latest SDSU player selected in the opening round since RB Rashaad Penny by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 and only the 2nd SDSU defensive back selected this high since Willie Buchanon was taken 7th overall by the Green Bay Packers in 1972.
The 21-year old Johnson however joins a Miami Dolphin program in need of a young, but mature cornerback to their defense. After trading down in the draft to select a big physical OL from Alabama, Kayden Proctor, they the traded up to select Johnson, showing just how much they believe in his abilities.
Buchanon of the Packers over fifty years ago was an immediate splash earning AP defensive rookie of the year and he ended his stellar career joining the Packers Hall of Fame. The Dolphins are looking for immediate impact from Johnson and to have a career worthy of staying in line with Buchanon would be tremendous for Miami.
Chris Johnson has the prototypical size at 6 foot around the 200lb mark. His play for the Aztecs especially this past season was tremendous. Shadowing his receiver in many man situations visibly had quarterbacks avoiding throwing in his direction much of the year.
When a confident passer felt froggy, they would try and throw in his direction only to have their attempts denied either by pass breakup or Johnson’s reactions and positioning disrupting the receiver.
Perhaps no game would speak more loudly of his effect on the SDSU defense this past season than wen the Aztecs traveled to the islands of Hawai’i to take on the Warriors. It was the one game Johnson missed due to injury and it proved to show some weaknesses in trying to defend against QB Micah Alejado’s passing attack.
That’s what the Dolphins are getting from the type of Corner Johnson is. He uses his speed, foot quickness, anticipation, reactions and technique all together to play a clean brand of coverage. But don’t get it twisted he will come up and get dirty in your face.
The similarities between Buchanon and Johnson are tough because of the era’s they played in with different schemes and what not, but Johnson 100% lives up to the iconic standard set by Buchanon in those days of the feared Aztec Defensive Back. If anything Johnson’s size and athletic dominance bridges the gap between the two era’s.
For the Dolphins, it’s a fantastic selection. Johnson is a mature young man, with a total team perspective in the way he interacts in the locker room and the community. The work ethic & confidence—added in with some good luck from the football God’s of the Gridiron, should make room for Chris Johnson to thrive in the league.
And maybe when it’s all said and done, Chris Johnson might be able to live up to the standard down there in South Beach for the Dolphins Defensive Backfield—along the long list of names like Sam Madison, Patrick Surtain, and Xavien Howard.
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