Denver Broncos 5 stud pass rushers to target in 2022 NFL Draft

Denver Broncos could target Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

This particular player might be one of the most fascinating in the list of top five edge rushers for 2022.

Both David Ojabo and this player have exceptional raw athleticism at the top of this class. Jermaine Johnson from Florida State is a gifted hand user and very quick with his first step. Between Ojabo and Johnson, you might be talking about the best in this class. Along with Johnson’s explosive hand placement, he brings a lot of intrigue.

Johnson has high intelligence to rightly place his hands where they need to be. Mix the hand usage with really good power and Johnson is a multi-faceted edge rusher like the rest of them. We’ve talked a lot about length with a lot of these prospects, and Johnson is also no exception. He has long arms to help with his furious hand movements. The length is a nice draw for his ability in the run defense.

Johnson shows exceptional quickness to run sideline to sideline filling the appropriate running lanes. Run defense is an exceptional trait that separates the complete players and prospects to be special talents.

Denver Broncos star rusher Bradley Chubb, despite some injuries, is very special in terms of run defense. Factor in the pure strength along with speed to power (sound familiar?), and Chubb is a good player.

We mentioned Thibodeaux and his flexibility in both 4-3 and 3-4. Jermaine Johnson offers the same type of ability. Johnson can be solely an edge rusher in a 4-3 strictly at defensive end. The only difference between Thibodeaux and Johnson is Johnson only capable to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

Yet, versatility is still an intriguing trait for Johnson. With his athleticism, it does beg the question of his fit at outside linebacker in 3-4. There’s enough there with his skill set to make it work.

The Florida State Seminole prospect previously spent time at Georgia before transferring to FSU. Johnson showed in his 2021 season he was the best player on the field for the team. In some ways like Jaelan Phillips, Johnson has risen to high ranks putting him in the conversation as one of the best in his class.