Jermaine Johnson II Drafted by Jets: New York's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1

The New York Jets selected Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday.

While the 2021 season won't be remembered fondly by many fans after Florida State once again missed a bowl game, Johnson enjoyed a standout season. The Georgia transfer was honored as the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.

Here's how New York's newest addition will likely fit into the front seven:

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DE: Carl Lawson, Jacob Martin

DT: Quinnen Williams, Nathan Shepherd

DT: Sheldon Rankins, Jonathan Marshall

DE: Jermaine Johnson II, John Franklin-Myers, Kyle Phillips

OLB: Quincy Williams, Hamsah Nasirildeen

MLB: C.J. Mosley, Del'Shawn Phillips

OLB: Jamien Sherwood

CB: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, DJ Reed, Brandin Echols

CB: Bryce Hall, Isaiah Dunn

Slot CB: Michael Carter II, Javelin Guidry

FS: Ashtyn Davis, Jason Pinnock

SS: Jordan Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner

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As a member of the Bulldogs, Johnson tasted plenty of team success as Georgia won a New Year's Six bowl in 2019 and 2020. However, he was getting crowded out in a defense that eventually anchored the program's national championship run.

In two years at UGA, Johnson had 36 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss.

By transferring to Florida State, the Minnesota native was able to attain the kind of role that eluded him at his previous stop. He posted 70 tackles, 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 12 games with the Seminoles.

Johnson raised his profile at the Senior Bowl through his performance in the practices surrounding the annual showcase.

Johnson established himself as one of the better edge-rushers in the 2022 draft class. He ranked fifth at the position and 33rd overall on the B/R NFL Scouting Department's big board.

Derrik Klassen drew a parallel to New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari, a second-round pick in 2021 who had eight sacks as a rookie.

Klassen singled out Johnson's work against the run:

"Jermaine Johnson will make a living in the NFL as a run defender. Johnson had snaps with his hand in the dirt at FSU, from 5-tech to a standard defensive end spot, as well as from a stand-up position. No matter the alignment or assignment, Johnson displays great ability to see blocks develop, get low and control offensive linemen with his long arms. His savvy and technique as a run defender is made better by his surprising anchor and balance despite his tall, skinny-looking frame. Johnson even has enough juice to slip through gaps from time to time and get into the backfield."

Johnson's sack totals underscore how he also possesses the skills to pressure the quarterback, though he may not do so at an elite level.

This was a good year to be in need of an edge-rusher, with Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux and Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson widely considered to be two of the top talents at any position.

Neither was likely to fall to the middle stage of the first round.

Johnson may not have the ceiling of Thibodeaux or Hutchinson, but he represents a great value pick for the Jets.

New York signed Carl Lawson to a three-year, $45 million contract last offseason, but his torn Achilles tendon raises questions over what he can deliver for the team in 2022 and beyond. Lawson represented a bit of a gamble anyway since he had registered 20 sacks over 51 games through his first four seasons.

Perhaps that signing ultimately works out, and if not, Johnson represents a contingency plan.