Jets trade back into 1st round to end Jermaine Johnson's fall
The New York Jets traded up to select Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 26 overall.
The Jets acquired the 26th pick and the 101st pick from the Tennessee Titans for the 35th, 69th, and 163rd choices.
New York made Johnson its third pick of the opening round after drafting cornerback Ahmad Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson earlier in the night. The Jets were rumored to be considering Johnson with one of their top choices and wound up trading back into the first round to get him.
Johnson posted 12 sacks for the Seminoles in 2021, breaking out as a star after collecting just 6.5 sacks combined over the previous two seasons at Georgia. He slid down the board on draft night despite his immense talent, perhaps in part due to concerns about his personality.
Scouting profile: Jermaine Johnson
| School | Height | Weight | 40 time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State | 6'5 | 254 | 4.58 |
In a deep edge rusher class, Johnson is the ultimate consolation prize in the second tier of pass-rushers. He got his first taste of consistent starting experience at Florida State after transferring from Georgia before last season and hasn't looked back, winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson is a monster in the trenches thanks to his unmatchable size and length. His 34-inch arms are a marvel to watch on the field as he forces his way into the pocket - usually with a variety of swim, swat, or rip moves. That also carries over into the run game - he uses his freak size to obtain the necessary leverage to get off blocks. We've gotten a taste of Johnson's talent, but it seems the best is yet to come.