{"id":772798,"date":"2026-02-24T08:34:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/772798\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T08:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:34:20","slug":"falcons-projected-to-pick-cb-chris-johnson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/772798\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons projected to pick CB Chris Johnson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Feb. 23, 2026, 7:18 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Last year, the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> traded away a future first-round pick for edge rusher James Pearce Jr. While the move initially worked out, Pearce’s recent arrest has put the team in a tough spot. Falcons GM Ian Cunningham will have to navigate the 2026 NFL Draft with just one top-50 selection.<\/p>\n

However, we’ve seen this team find talent in the middle rounds of the last two draft classes. Former fourth-round pick Brandon Dorlus finished second on the team behind Pearce with 8.5 sacks last season, while third-round pick Xavier Watts led all rookies with five interceptions.<\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week and the Falcons will be paying close attention as they attempt to find more talent on Days 2-3. With the team expected to use the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a>, Atlanta has one less need to fill in the draft.<\/p>\n

SI’s Justin Melo released a new 2026 NFL mock draft<\/a> with two rounds of pre-combine projections. The Falcons were projected to take San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson with pick No. 48 overall in SI’s mock.<\/p>\n

Pick No. 48: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State<\/p>\n

“The Atlanta Falcons drafted two productive safeties in Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. last year, but they need more at cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell to complete the transformation in the secondary,” wrote SI’s Justin Melo<\/a>. “Chris Johnson is a scheme-versatile and athletic cornerback who had five interceptions at San Diego State in 2024-25.”<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Veteran Mike Hughes has been a solid No. 2 cornerback, but the team lacks depth at the position. Dee Alford is headed for free agency and Bowman is recovering from a torn Achilles. Plus, there is plenty to like about Johnson.<\/p>\n

Last season, the former Aztecs defensive back earned a 92.4 coverage grade from PFF<\/a> and an overall grade of 91.6. Johnson gave up just 18 total catches in 2025, allowing a passer rating of 16.1 when targeted.<\/p>\n

Considering how much success the Falcons had with Watts and Bowman last season, it would make sense to give defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich another talented cornerback to mold in 2026.<\/p>\n

The scouting combine runs from Feb. 23 through March 1, and the 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23.<\/p>\n

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