The Detroit Lions hosted Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson for one of the team’s 30 allotted pre-draft visits this week. It’s not surprising the Lions would have interest in spending more time with Johnson, a consensus top-12 prospect in the 2022 NFL draft.
It leads to the obvious question: Could Johnson really be in play for the Lions with the No. 2 overall pick?
It’s not a crazy idea. Johnson set the college football world on fire in his one year with the Seminoles. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year with 12 sacks, 18 TFLs, two forced fumbles and two PDs. Johnson had quite the highlight reel full of impactful plays:
#11 Jermaine Johnson with the strip sack + scoop & score combo pic.twitter.com/QxKHmhQryX
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 12, 2022
Every so often I go back and watch Jermaine Johnson, just make sure I’m not making him out to be better in my head than he really is.
Then he does things like this, and I remember why I’m so high on him.
Doesn’t get the sack, but forces the QB off his spot and into the DT. pic.twitter.com/ZPV5ZBbTyO
— Andrew Golden (@andrewgolden_17) April 6, 2022
The athletic measurables and performance are there, too. He’s lighter than ideal at 254 pounds but he makes up for it by having exceptional quickness and speed. Those are traits that work well for a pass rusher, either standing up or inline as a DE attacking the outside of the offensive tackle.
Johnson started out at Georgia after a stint on “Last Chance U.” as a JUCO player. He was impressive in a reserve role for the loaded Bulldogs defense, notably in the 2020 loss to Florida. But he wanted a chance to spread his wings and shine as a featured performer and transferred to Florida State.
Any worries about Johnson being a one-year wonder with the gaudy bump in stats were ameliorated in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. Johnson played for the American team coached by the Lions, and he flat-out dominated all comers in drills. Johnson showcased a barrage of pass-rush moves that proved he can win with speed, power, technique and effort. He even had some wins to the inside in team drills, and that was probably the biggest question about his game entering the week.
Spending that week with Detroit DC Aaron Glenn and the staff working with him and getting to know him is a major feather in his cap. Johnson’s performance during Senior Bowl week was that level of captivating, and he handled the attention with proud grace.
It took a little time, but the draft media has caught up to Johnson’s astronomical potential. He’s the No. 1 pass rusher on Touchdown Wire’s big board, and analyst Doug Farrar offers a succinct summation,
Conclusion: There are some analysts who will tell you that Johnson is scratching the surface of his potential, and he might be the best edge player in this class over the next few seasons. Based on the tape and attributes, I’d say he’s there already. There was enough on the Georgia tape to give an indication that Johnson would turn into a dominant player once he got more opportunities, and that’s exactly what happened in 2021. Johnson already has a high floor, and the ceiling is vaulted.
There are some drawbacks with Johnson, of course. He’s a good-not-great run defender and he had some issues against Wake Forest OT Zach Tom, a technically sound, finesse-type tackle who could match his foot speed. Fellow top-10 overall prospect Ikem Ekwonu kept him off the stat sheet (though Johnson had some individual wins) in the matchup with North Carolina State, too. Going back to his Georgia tape, Johnson will abandon contain responsibilities at times as a rusher, a real issue against QBs who can tuck and run.
Is there enough there for Lions GM Brad Holmes to pull the trigger and turn in the card at No. 2 overall with Jermaine Johnson written on it? It’s certainly possible. And it’s not a bad idea to consider.