Behind newly hired defensive coordinator Brandon Staley in 2025, the New Orleans Saints ranked fourth against opposing passing attacks. This was in part because of the rapid development of a young secondary with four new starters and three new faces altogether. One of the experienced members of that unit, Alontae Taylor, departed as a free agent this offseason. That loss has created a need which many feel the Saints will address in the 2026 NFL draft. Perhaps they’ll fill it with someone like Chris Johnson, the outstanding San Diego State Aztecs cornerback.
New Orleans holds the eighth choice in the first round. They could use that to target someone like LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. If the Saints address another need with that pick, Johnson is one of a handful of corners that could be avaliable with a Day 2 choice.
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Chris Johnson bio
College: San Diego State Aztecs
10-yard split: 1.54 seconds
Out of Eastvale, California, Johnson stayed close to home by choosing San Diego State. He saw no significant action in 2022, but by 2023 was a vital part of the Aztec defense. His 67 tackles in 2024 were second on the team. He’d cap off his collegiate career with his best season in 2025 with 4 interceptions, 9 passes broken up, and 3 tackles for loss.Johnson returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns last season, tying for the NCAA lead. His 146 return yards led the Mountain West conference. Those exploits led to him winning the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
Strengths
Able to play both outside and the slot
Equally effective in both man and off-ball coverages
Excellent footwork and agility
Outstanding mirroring skills
Terrific anticipation in off-ball coverage
Elite agility and change-of-direction
Willing and aggressive run defender
Weaknesses
Recovery speed doesn’t match athleticism
Struggles against physical receivers
Doesn’t win enough contested balls
Could stand to be more aggressive at the top of a route
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Chris Johnson 2026 draft outlook
If Johnson had played in a Power-5 conference, he might be viewed as a potential top-15 pick. As it is, he could be a surprise first round selection and is certainly among a handful of corners that should come off the board before the end of the second day. Johnson has the versatility to excel in any scheme and to do so as either an outside corner or from the slot.
New Orleans is looking for exactly such versatility in their defensive backfield. Alontae Taylor filled several roles for them. His absence creates an opportunity for a potential rookie defensive back to contribute right away. Chris Johnson has the ability to do many of those same things if the Saints grab him with a Day 2 choice.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Scouting San Diego State CB Chris Johnson for Saints