FLORHAM PARK, NJ – JULY 28: Head coach Robert Saleh, left, of the New York Jets talks with general manager Joe Douglas during morning practice at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 28, 2021 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The New York Jets could shock the fanbase with the fourth-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The New York Jets are one of two teams who hold two picks in the Top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft. That gives the team the chance to select two starters for the foreseeable future and potentially future Pro Bowlers. Well, there is one player that is being linked to the Jets as of Monday, Apr. 25.
ESPN’s New York Giants reporter Jordan Raanan tweeted out that one player that could be a lock in the Top 10 and potentially sneak into the Top 5 is Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. Connor Hughes, who is a New York Jets reporter for The Athletic, shared Raanan’s tweet and said “watch the Jets at 4.”
Hughes then elaborated in a separate tweet that multiple sources have said that the team and general manager Joe Douglas “love” Johnson, more so than Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Jets could shock the world with No. 4 pick in 2022 NFL Draft
Hughes was not the only one to share this information. The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler responded to Hughes’ tweet, saying that several in the NFL believe that Johnson has a better chance to be taken fourth overall than Thibodeaux.
Johnson is one of the top pass rushers in the draft this year, so it is not necessarily shocking to hear this. Each team has a preference on what they want in a player. Whether Johnson actually gets selected fourth-overall remains to be seen.
This past season, Johnson transferred over to Florida State for his senior year. Johnson recorded 70 total tackles (17.5 for loss), 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
NFL fans will get their answer as to what the Jets will do with picks No. 4 and 10, in addition to where Johnson will spend the beginning of his professional career, on Thursday, Apr. 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET.