2026 NFL Scouting Report: Chris Johnson

Prospect Summary:

Johnson spent two seasons as a backup and a special teams contributor before having a breakout 2024 season with 65 tackles, an interception, three breakups, and three forced fumbles. In 2025, Johnson had 48 tackles with four interceptions, eight passes broken up, and one forced fumble. After the season, he helped himself with a fast 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

For the NFL, Johnson is a well-rounded cornerback with a good skill set. He has size, speed, and athleticism to be a starting outside corner. With Johnson’s size and length, he is a good fit to be a press man corner. With his functional size and strength, Johnson can reroute receivers and disrupt the timing of the play while also being able to turn and run and carry vertical routes downfield. Johnson is adept at battling for the ball and shows the ball skills to break up passes or snatch them away for a turnover. Johnson is a nice fit for a man-coverage scheme.

Johnson has some raw elements to work out for the next level, and he could use some development from a pro defensive backs coach. Johnson needs to get faster with his route recognition, as he will pause when receivers make their break. While Johnson has straight-line speed, he lacks some recovery burst, and that leads to a lack of recoverability when he gets beaten. Johnson could be a starting outside corner in the NFL, but he could use some grooming to avoid getting picked on and losing confidence when taking on pro wideouts.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Johnson is likely to be a second-day pick. However, he has a shot at sneaking into the first round as he has starter ability at a premium position. Check out my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft to see where Johnson is projected.