Brian Gutekunst has said this offseason that he doesn’t believe the Green Bay Packers’ cornerback room needs a full overhaul. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Green Bay desperately needs depth at the position. They will most likely target it multiple times in the draft, and one of the safest bets is San Diego State’s Chris Johnson.
Chris Johnson is a CB prospect in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.82 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 52 out of 2822 CB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/u1NM1dInPy pic.twitter.com/IptDkKgXSj
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 18, 2026
Johnson is the 41st-ranked player on the consensus board, and he fits the exact profile the Packers tend to value at the position. If Green Bay held a first-round pick, he’s the type of prospect they could realistically fall in love with and take on Day 1, even if it meant reaching a bit relative to his projection.
It wouldn’t surprise me if #SanDiegoState CB Chris Johnson snuck into the 1st round.
Excellent showing at the combine, really good movement skill, clean footwork, prototype zone CB as a whole, and a true playmaker. pic.twitter.com/KVPQ65RXsj
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) March 4, 2026
Johnson’s production backs it up. He posted a 92.4 PFF coverage grade, the best in the country, while being targeted just 43 times and allowing only 18 receptions — a 41.9% completion rate. He added four interceptions, five pass breakups, did not allow a single touchdown, and finished with a 16.1 passer rating allowed when targeted, the lowest among qualifying defenders. For context, a quarterback would post a 39.6 rating if he spiked the ball on every play,
San Diego State CB Chris Johnson is a gonzo enveloper with match feet and change of direction to all areas of the field. If you can catch the ball against him, he's likely to suplex your ass on the way down. pic.twitter.com/l82aI7PKsk
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 14, 2026
Javon Bullard’s emergence as a reliable nickel corner has helped stabilize the position and gives Gutekunst more flexibility to target true outside cornerbacks – something the Packers lacked last season.
The Packers paid $48 million to Nate Hobbs to play all over the formation, but he struggled to stay healthy. Meanwhile, Carrington Valentine‘s tackling was lackluster, and Keisean Nixon – their primary outside option – earned his deal largely because of his return ability, not his play at corner. As a result, Green Bay consistently had issues on the perimeter.
That’s where Chris Johnson comes in. He’s a natural outside corner who could step in immediately, bringing much-needed stability to the boundary. Over the last two seasons, Johnson has logged over 1,000 snaps lined up as a wide corner. He has also contributed on special teams – an ability to impact multiple phases that the Packers consistently value in their prospects. Moreover, he has recorded 29 stops (tackles that result in a failure for the offense) and posted a 5.9% missed tackle rate over the last two seasons.
For a cornerback to earn a starting role in Green Bay, tackling is non-negotiable. Just look at Valentine, who was benched at the end of the 2025 season largely due to his inability to wrap opponents up.
Johnson could hear his name called in the first round. While there’s a chance he’s still on the board at No. 52, the reality is that if the Packers truly want him, they may have to move up to get him. And if he happens to be there at that spot, it would feel almost too obvious a selection.
That said, this draft offers strong value at the position in the mid-to-late rounds. Therefore, trading up for Johnson would likely signal that Green Bay views him as an immediate starter.
It would mean they’re looking for someone who could step in and contribute at a high level from Week 1. That’s especially important given that, without a first-round pick, there’s added pressure on Green Bay to hit on their second-round selection with a player who can produce immediately.