Florida State football has one key player heading into the 2022 NFL Draft: pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II. The former Georgia Bulldog came to Tallahassee last season and lit up opposing offenses, recording 70 tackles (18 for loss) and 12 sacks en route to winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Johnson also was a standout at the Reese's Senior Bowl and impressed at the NFL Combine and the Seminoles' pro day. NFL experts agree Johnson is a first-round talent, with at least one draft expert predicting him as a top-five overall pick.
FSU in the NFL Draft:After combine snub, defensive lineman Keir Thomas makes impact at Florida State Pro Day
FSU football in 2022:
So where will Johnson end up Thursday night? Here's what NFL experts are saying:
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: New York Jets at No. 4
The Jets create the first major surprise of the first round, going with Johnson over Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: New York Giants at No. 7
The Giants can get their tackle at No. 5 and then focus on their defense, which allowed 4.7 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL). Johnson had 12 sacks last season and was one of the most impressive prospects at the Senior Bowl in January. He already has a few veteran pass-rush moves and can be an instant starter. He also played a lot of outside linebacker for the Seminoles, so he will have some versatility in Don Martindale's defense. And if you're keeping track, this makes four edge rushers in the top seven picks.
Eric Edholm, Yahoo Sports: New York Giants at No. 7
Johnson over Kayvon Thibodeaux could generate some serious talk-radio hot takes, so please grab your fireproof gear ahead of Friday morning. The Giants might be more comfortable with Johnson than Thibodeaux, even though both are brimming with confidence. Johnson's fiery style and all-around game would make this defense better.
Charles Davis, CBS Sports: Atlanta Falcons at No. 8
Receiver is ascreamingneed for the Falcons in the wake ofCalvin Ridley's indefinitesuspension. But so is pass-rushing help, given that Atlanta has struggled to disrupt opposing QBs for years. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has the potential to ultimately be an All-Pro, and he's good against the run, too.
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Seattle Seahawks at No. 9
Predicting a Seahawks draft pick is like predicting what kind of mood your significant other will be in when you wake up. There's a lot of variance. Johnson was getting top-five heat this week and is just random enough to be the Seahawks' first-round pick. Definitely thought about Evan Neal here.
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com: Seattle Seahawks at No. 9
Prior to free agency, Pete Carroll discussed that finding edge-rushing help would be essential for the team this offseason. Yet, all the Seahawks have done in that regard is obtain Uchenna Nwosu. That's not nearly enough to combat Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and Trey Lance. I believe the Seahawks will target a dynamic edge rusher with this pick unless someone unexpected drops to them.
Jermaine Johnson, who left Georgia for Florida State, has good speed off the edge.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Minnesota Vikings at No. 12
The Vikings further bolster their edge rush group by grabbing Johnson here. The Seminole is a tough, physical defender with ideal length and the skill set to play on all three downs. Together with Danielle Hunter and the newly signed Za’Darius Smith, he gives the Vikings a deep pass-rush rotation.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: Minnesota Vikings at No. 12
A guy who grew up in the shadow of the Vikes' old training headquarters comes home. Pass rushers are always at a premium, but especially for a team apparently counting onZa'Darius Smith andDanielle Hunter, who combined to miss 26 games in 2021– this after Hunter was injured for the entire 2020 campaign.AGeorgia transfer, Johnson comes off aproductive senior season that included 11½ sacks and 17½ tackles for losses.
Luke Easterling, USA TODAY Draftwire: Houston Texans at No. 13
This is a huge win for the Texans, who land the pass rusher they need, and get a huge bargain in the process. Johnson’s combination of impressive film, dominant Senior Bowl performance and stellar outing at the NFL Scouting Combine should make him a top-10 pick, but Houston lucks out and steals him here.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Houston Texans at No. 13
The Texans got a strong season from Jonathan Greenard but are pretty weak getting to the quarterback from the outside otherwise. Johnson has been rising fast because of some freakish qualities and has the potential to give them their new J.J. Watt playing end in Lovie Smith's 4-3.
Todd McShay, ESPN: Baltimore Ravens at No. 14
Iowa centerTyler Linderbaumwould be a good pick after the Ravens lostBradley Bozemanto free agency. But could the Ravens afford to ignore Johnson's fall out of the top 10 right into their lap at No. 14? They were in the bottom 10 last year in sacks (34), and onlyTyus Bowser(seven sacks) andOdafe Oweh(five) made much of a dent there. Johnson had 12 sacks and 46 pressures at FSU in 2021, frequently using his quick feet, powerful hands and arsenal of pass-rush moves to overwhelm blockers. If Linderbaum does end up with the Ravens, I'd bet it comes after a trade down the Round 1 board.
Peter King, NBC Sports: Arizona Cardinals at No. 23
I think the Cards would love to get another weapon forKyler Murray, and if I were GM Steve Keim I’d define that weapon differently. I’d be looking just as fervently at the offensive line that put Murray under so much pressure last season; fixing his protection is as important as getting him a home-run threat — especially when there are no more home-run threats left now the way I mock it.
So why Johnson here? Because of the big need to find a pass-rusher two years after the departure ofHaason Reddickand a month after the loss ofChandler Jones. I understand the pick, but I’d probably pick Zion Johnson instead.
