Denver Broncos EDGE target no. 2: Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
If Thibodeaux doesn’t fall to Denver in the first round (assuming the Broncos still have their first-round selection this year), a great consolation prize might be Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II.
Johnson has been one of the biggest risers in the draft process and many experts have pegged him to possibly be a Top 15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Georgia transfer is a solid run defender and offers plenty in the pass rush department.
His showing at the Senior Bowl offered a great glimpse into his tools and what he could bring to the Denver Broncos defense.
Jermaine Johnson can win with an inside or outside path! Vicious finish on Phil Jurkovec.
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) February 23, 2022
Kudos to Jurkovec for completing this pass somehow. pic.twitter.com/PyVL5mj9ZD
In 2021 with the Seminoles, Johnson put up some gaudy pass rush numbers. He tallied 46 pressures, 12 sacks, and seven tackles for loss. He’s got great size and a lot of length to go with his almost 6’5″ frame.
While he may not feature a ton of bend as a pass rusher, he has a great first step and good enough speed to get into the backfield and beat offensive tackles to their spots. Combine these traits with a motor that is constantly set to “go” and you’ve got the makings of a dangerous pass rusher in Ejiro Evero’s defensive scheme.