2022 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper believes Jermaine Johnson is worthy of a top-10 draft grade, predicts ideal landing spot

Jermaine Johnson may not be a household name outside of ACC circles beyond the Georgia Bulldogs’ fans who remember his production at UGA before deciding to transfer ahead of the 2021 campaign, but the leading NFL Draft expert has the Florida State edge rusher as a top ten selection and has identified an ideal landing spot.

When the longtime ESPN analyst was asked about the No. 7 overall selection currently owned by the New York Giants, he didn’’t hesitate on pegging the Seminoles’ star as an ideal fit in the Big Apple.

“Jermaine Johnson going to the Giants, he’s a pass rusher off the edge, this kid had a heck of a year,” Kiper said on his most recent ESPN draft special.

“He came over from Georgia, where he had some success but wasn’t the sack artist yet that he became this year with 12 sacks, 15 tackles for loss — and more importantly — 70 tackles, second on the team.”

While Johnson may have blended in on the historically great Bulldogs’ championship season from a season ago, the 6-foot-5 edge rusher opted to hit the transfer portal and it paid of in a major way.

He put together a dominant campaign as the leader of the Florida State defense in 2021 — and with the Giants having two draft picks within the top 10 of the first round— Kiper has the ideal situation for the New York brass to add two pivotal pieces that could be anchors on both sides of the ball for years to come.

Mel Kiper outlines why Jermaine Johnson makes perfect since for Giants

In his latest mock draft, the ESPN draft guru pegs the NFC East squad selecting NC State tackle Ikim Ekwonu with the No. 5 overall selection to provide protection for Daniel Jones. But as he mentioned, Kiper believes the perfect choice just two picks later is the Florida State sack specialist.

“He’s got bend off the corner, he’s got the quickness to get off blocks,” Kiper added.

“Jermaine Johnson may have had one great year, but it was a phenomenal season so if you’re the Giants and you get Iki Ekwonu at right tackle—and then you get Johnson at seven—boy your pass rush should be a major upgrade and I think he’s worthy of being a top ten pick going No. 7 overall to the New York Giants,” Kiper said.

The New York Giants have made massive coaching and front office moves over the offseason but have opted to stick by Jones as their starting quarterback for at least another season. There is clear talent on both sides of the ball, so it will be interesting to see if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen agree with Kiper, or take another route with two premier picks in the NFL Draft.