The cornerback class in the 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be deeper and more talented than previously anticipated. The corners at the top of the class have gotten plenty of press all year long, and we could see three drafted in the first round.
Interestingly, however, one of the best corners in the country has flown under the radar, at least as far as the national draft conversation is concerned. Chris Johnson of San Diego State was remarkably productive this year with four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. But he simply didn’t get much attention playing for San Diego State in the Mountain West.
The New York Giants could find themselves with a few major draft needs following free agency, and cornerback could be chief among them if they aren’t able to shore that up.
Could Johnson be an option for them if he slides to the top of the second round?
Prospect: Chris Johnson (1)
Games Watched: vs. Washington State (2024), vs California (2025), vs. Boise State (2025), vs New Mexico (2025)
Red Flags: None
Measurables
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 190 pounds
Arm length: 30 5/8 inches
Hand size: 9 7/8 inches
40 time: 4.40 seconds
Strengths
Best traits
- Instincts and processing
- Man coverage
- Zone coverage
- Athleticism
- Ball skills
- Tackling
Chris Johnson is a good-sized, athletic, versatile, and dangerous cover corner.
Johnson has adequate size and very good athleticism for the position. He has the speed to run down the field with receivers on vertical routes as well as the fluidity to stay in phase throughout their routes. He has quick feet and fluid hips to match receivers through their breaks as well as carry speed vertically when transitioning from his backpedal to running down the field.
Johnson’s traits lend themselves to man coverage as well as zone coverage. He quickly gets depth in his zone drops and is able to cover huge swaths of ground once in position. His feet and explosiveness combine with great situational awareness to give him a lightning-quick downhill trigger. Johnson is instinctive in coverage and always seems to know what’s going on around him. There are multiple instances when he starts driving on the ball almost before the quarterback even commits to throwing it.
His quickness, speed, agility, and instincts all make him a menace to opposing quarterbacks. Johnson finished the season with 9 passes defensed and 4 interceptions – two of which he returned for touchdowns.
Johnson is also a surprisingly physical run defender, and not just “for a cornerback”. He drives hard on the ball and is willing to take on blockers as well as deliver hits on ball carriers. He is generally sound as a tackler, breaking down, wrapping up, and driving through his opponent’s hips whenever possible.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Overall mass
- Arm length
- Level of competition
Johnson has very few true weaknesses on the field, however there are a few issues in his profile that could give teams some slight pause.
First and foremost is his arm length at just 30 ⅝ inches. That’s undeniably short and while it didn’t really limit him in college, it could in the NFL. Most notably, he’ll be going against longer-limbed and more technically sound receivers, so they could find it much easier to defeat his jams at the line of scrimmage, making for easier releases against man coverage. Likewise, he could find it harder to play around receivers at the catch point, leading to more pass interference penalties with the stiffer rules in the NFL.
Johnson’s arms also give him a relatively small “catch denial radius”, and he could struggle to play receivers hands when they high-point the ball.
He also has merely “good” size at 6-foot, 190 pounds, which some teams could view as marginal, particularly if they prefer a longer, lankier frame a la Sauce Gardner or Riq Woolen.
Finally, teams might have concerns as to whether Johnson can make the jump from the Mountain West Conference to the NFL. He had an uneven performance at the 2026 Senior Bowl, and teams could be concerned that it would continue against NFL players and not just top prospects.
Game Tape
(Johnson is the San Diego State cornerback wearing number 1.)
Projection
Chris Johsnon projects as a starting cornerback with scheme versatility at the NFL level.
The issues in Johnson’s profile – level of competition, arm length, “okay” mass – could give some teams pause and be enough to keep him out of the first round. However, his athleticism, instincts, and ball skills are all worthy of a first round selection. That could make him an incredible value at the top of the second round, and he should be a starter early in his career.
Johnson has the potential to be an impact player in the NFL if he lands in the right situation.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: A late first or early second round pick.
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