FSU’s Johnson Would Give The Green Bay Packers A Terrific Trio Of Outside Linebackers

Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II had a monster senior season for the Seminoles.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Note: The NFL Draft begins April 28 and the Green Bay Packers have the 22^nd and 28^th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 20 players the Packers could select with either of those picks.

Today, we look at Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.

JERMAINE JOHNSON, EDGE, FLORIDA STATE

THE SKINNY

Johnson failed to qualify academically coming out of high school and spent two years at Independence Community College. During that time, Johnson was featured on the Netflix series ‘Last Chance U’ and tore it up on the field with 12.5 sacks.

Johnson transferred to Georgia, but made just four starts in two seasons and had only 7.5 sacks in that time. So, he transferred to Florida State for his final season.

And what a season it was, as Johnson had 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He also had 70 total tackles, forced two fumbles and was named the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Johnson had a terrific Senior Bowl in which he turned heads. He also had an impressive pro day workout where he bench pressed 225-pounds 27 times.

MEASURABLES

Height: 6-5

Weight: 254

Bench press: 27 (at pro day)

40-yard dash: 4.58

Vertical jump: 32”

Broad jump: 10’5”

Arms: 34”

Hands: 9 7/8”

SCOUTING REPORT

Fast riser on many draft boards thanks to stellar senior season at FSU and a sensational postseason. What will concern many teams, though, is Johnson has only shown this level of productivity for one season.

Johnson is extremely quick off the ball. He has ideal length, a bevy of pass rush moves and is remarkably tenacious.

In the run game, Johnson is surprisingly stout, sheds blocks and finishes play after play. Overall, his size, athleticism and strength could make him a Day 1 starter in most places.

Johnson could very well be gone when Green Bay picks at No. 22. If he’s still on the board, though, the Packers could put their wide receiver needs on hold and gobble up Johnson.

PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT

Green Bay has a solid pair of edge rushers in rising star Rashan Gary and veteran Preston Smith. Gary had a career-best 9.5 sacks in 2021, while Smith rebounded from a rough 2020 with 9.0 sacks.

The Packers cut Za’Darius Smith, though, who was their top pass rusher in several years. While Za’Darius Smith missed most of the 2021 campaign with a back injury, his 26.0 total sacks in 2019-20 were the most by a Packer in a two-year window since Aaron Kampman had 27.5 in 2006-07.

Now, there’s little depth behind Gary and Preston Smith. Plus Preston Smith turns 30 this season and counts $11.5 million against the salary cap in 2023 and $14.8 million in 2024.

So, this could be a prime spot for the Packers to find a pass rusher to pair with Gary for future seasons.

THEY SAID IT

ESPN’s Todd McShay on Johnson: “Johnson was awesome (at the Senior Bowl). He came out the first couple of practices, he just – you could tell right away. I always say that you can tell, sometimes after the first practice, but certainly after the first two, who the elite guys are. Johnson showed it right away. You see the explosiveness with his upper body, his ability to get off of blocks, he was winning one-on-ones consistently, he was disruptive during team practices.”

Johnson on his performance at the Senior Bowl: “I went there because I wanted to prove I could do what I do against anybody. And in this case, the best of the best. I think I did that, and other people think I did as well. Just controlling what I can control – how I play, my effort, the plays I make, how badly I beat people – those are the things I can control. I tried to control that as best as I could.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper on Johnson: “Johnson, you think 20-32 with the ability to come off the edge, he’s going to be there. The cover guys and the pass rushers are going to go in today’s NFL. Johnson showed that both during the year at Florida State and certainly at Senior Bowl week. When you have the type of production and you play with the kind of energy he does, that’s going to speak volumes.”