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2022 NFL Draft: Edge rushers worth targeting by KC Chiefs

By Lyle Graversen

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 26: George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after his sack in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 26, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - OCTOBER 26: George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after his sack in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 26, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 6: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the NC State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 6, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Wolfpack defeated the Seminoles 28 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – NOVEMBER 6: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the NC State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on November 6, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Wolfpack defeated the Seminoles 28 to 14. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Jermaine Johnson II – Florida State

  • 6-foot-5
  • 254 pounds
  • 34-inch arms
  • 4.58 forty

Jermaine Johnson II out of Florida State is “my guy” when it comes to edge prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. I think he checks every box needed to be an impact player in their defense. He has the physical dimensions that Spagnuolo covets with a long-armed 6-foot-5 frame. He’s a little light, but if an NFL strength training program could get about 5 to 10 more pounds on him he would be exactly the ideal size for KC’s system.

The good news is that Johnson’s weight does not prevent him from being a great run defender. His long arms, strength, and ability to disengage from blockers allow him to get to ball carriers. He also has the bend and motor to win on the edge in the NFL. I don’t think he has the freaky athletic upside of the top three picks, but his 18 tackles for loss and 12 sacks last season prove he can still be a pass rush force.

His critics will say that while his production totals were high, his win rate wasn’t elite. Part of that is because he simply never came off the field, totaling more snaps last season than any other highly touted edge defender. I would be completely comfortable with the Chiefs putting together a package to move up to the 10-15 range in this draft to get Johnson. If they want to lock up a true top edge player in this draft, this is the best guy for them to target.

Don’t Just Take My Word For It

I think this quote from the KC Sports Network Draft Guide pretty much mirrors my feelings about Johnson:

"He is the best run defender in the class and one of the more physically impressive edge prospects. Johnson might be the ideal candidate to try to trade up for should he fall outside of the top eight picks. He’s worth the aggressive move up."

You can see for yourself Johnson’s ability to quickly disengage from the tackle and make a huge play in the tweet below.

Check out Johnson’s impressive highlights HERE.

If the Chiefs don’t want to spend the draft capital it would take to trade up for Johnson, there is one other prospect they could trade up for that shouldn’t cost near as much.

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