The Jets will use one of their official pre-draft visits on Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson next week, a source told the Daily News.
It’s no secret the Jets need pass rush help after finishing with 33 sacks, tied for fifth fewest in the NFL, and pressured QBs on 22% of their dropbacks. And Gang Green needs help with their poor rushing defense that allowed 2,343 rushing yards (fourth most) with 28 touchdowns (most in the NFL).
Johnson was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after he finished with 17 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2021. His draft stock soared during the Senior Bowl when he dominated the week in Mobile, Ala., with the Jets coaching staff there close-up.
The 6-foot-4 260-pound defensive end is an explosive athlete who ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the combine. He has a variety of pass rush moves. And he’s stout against the run and would drastically help their unit.
There are various questions surrounding when to select Johnson.
Do the Jets take him at No. 4 overall if Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux is gone?
Reports have questioned Thibodeaux’s love for football, but he’s the more talented player; do the Jets go with him instead? The Jets are doing their research on Thibodeaux as reportedly they met with him after his Pro Day. Johnson may be the safer pick. Some scouts believe Johnson is a better player than Thibodeaux.
If North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu is available, do you select Ekwonu and see if Johnson falls to No. 10? Johnson could be selected by the Falcons, Seahawks or Giants, who failed to generate pressure on QB last year too as they finished in the bottom 10 in sack total.
JETS SEEING STINGLEY UP CLOSE
The Jets are attending LSU’s cornerback Derek Stingley’s pro day on Wednesday. Stingley is one of the bigger boom-or-bust players in the 2022 draft.
Coming into the 2021 college football season, Stingley was viewed as one of the best cornerback prospects ever, largely due to his elite true freshman season in 2019.
Stingley finished with six interceptions and 15 pass deflections that year and showed the ability to play on an island in press coverage. He isn’t overly physical but is a technician at the line of scrimmage which allowed him to take away the deep ball through his freshman year.
But after 2019, Stingley hasn’t secured an interception and only played in 10 games in the last two years due to injuries. He played in only three games in 2021 and suffered a Lisfranc fracture, which ended his season.
And overall, Stingley’s play wasn’t as good post=2019.
Team sources I’ve spoken to about Stingley have raved about his talent. Some called the 2019 film some of the best they’ve ever seen from a cornerback prospect.
But they want to learn the reason behind Stingley’s dropoff. Was it strictly injuries? Did his desire wane a little bit? They want to find out how coachable he is.
Stingley wouldn’t be in play at No. 4. And the Jets seem set with their cornerback room with D.J. Reed, Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols — for now. If Stingley answers those questions and gives the Jets confidence things could change.
()
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment