New York Jets trade up for Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson in 2022 NFL Draft

After putting together a strong season for Florida State in 2021, defensive end Jermaine Johnson is now a first-round pick – being selected 26th overall by the New York Jets on Thursday night in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Jets previously made two top 10 selections and now trade back into the first round to make the selection after acquiring the pick from the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson played a significant role on the defensive side of the ball for the Seminoles last season, recording 70 total tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Florida State after spending the 2019 and 2020 seasons at Georgia, where he tallied 34 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Johnson wasn’t a highly-rated recruit coming out of Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School due to academic issues, so the defender had to start his collegiate career at Independence Community College in Kansas. After excelling there, he committed to Georgia over a number of offers – including Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Oregon.

Looking at his stats from last season, Johnson – who stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 262 pounds – made 11 tackles in a loss to Jacksonville State on Sept. 11 and 10 tackles in a setback against Wake Forest on Sept. 18. Over his combined three seasons at Georgia and Florida State, Johnson played in 27 games – meaning he brings plenty of experience to the Jets.

What NFL draft analysts are saying about Jermaine Johnson

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Johnson can bring to the NFL in his recent scout of the defensive end’s draft profile. The analyst compared the former Florida State star to Maxx Crosby, who is currently a defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Ascending edge prospect,” Zierlein said. “Johnson has NFL traits and the potential to keep getting bigger and better as a pro. He is a one-year full-time starter with an underdeveloped pass rush and occasional lapses in awareness, but both areas should be correctable with more coaching and game experience. He’s more instinctive and consistent as a run defender, but his length and relentlessness are excellent building blocks for challenging protection.

“Johnson’s blend of strength and athleticism should make him a firm edge-setter and playmaker near the line of scrimmage for odd or even fronts. He has the traits, athleticism and talent to project as a top-40 pick with a bright future.”