The Miami Dolphins’ current depth chart lists rookie first-round pick Chris Johnson, JuJu Brents and Jason Marshall Jr. as the team’s starting cornerbacks heading into the 2026 season.
As the second cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Johnson enters Miami with high expectations and the potential to become a lockdown corner from Day 1. His college production certainly supports that belief. Johnson is coming off a standout season at San Diego State, where he recorded four interceptions and nine passes defensed. Dolphins fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic about what the rookie can bring to the secondary right away.
Brents, a 2023 second-round pick, is another intriguing piece of the cornerback room entering his fourth NFL season.
Brents performed exceptionally well for Miami last season, including a standout performance against the Buffalo Bills in which he allowed just two receptions on five targets.
Unfortunately, a foot injury ended his season prematurely. Now healthy and earning a starting role to begin the year, Brents has an opportunity to build on the momentum he created last season. At 6-foot-3, his size and physical frame give him the tools to be a difficult matchup for opposing wide receivers, particularly on the outside. If he can stay healthy and continue developing, Brents could emerge as one of the most important pieces of Miami’s secondary.
Marshall is the biggest wild card in the Dolphins’ cornerback room and could ultimately determine just how strong this unit becomes.
Marshall endured a difficult rookie campaign in 2025, posting a 40.8 overall defensive grade (via Pro Football Focus) while allowing a 109.5 passer rating when targeted. Despite those struggles, head coach Jeff Hafley showed confidence in Marshall’s development by naming him the third cornerback on the depth chart following training camp.
Marshall was selected in the fifth round of last year’s draft, so expectations were naturally lower compared to players drafted ahead of him. Still, the 2026 season will be an important opportunity for Marshall to show how much he has improved since his rookie year.
If Marshall can take a significant step forward and outperform expectations, the Dolphins could suddenly have a young and talented cornerback trio capable of making life difficult for opposing offenses.
Miami will get its first real test on September 13, when the Dolphins travel to Allegiant Stadium to take on the Las Vegas Raiders. The matchup will give fans their first meaningful glimpse at what this new-look secondary can bring to the table — and whether this cornerback room can become a strength for the Dolphins in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins’ new-look secondary has something to prove in 2026
