Is there another level that Jermaine Johnson can tap into?
On the night of April 28, 2022, New York Jets fans were ecstatic when they saw their team trade back into the first round to select Jermaine Johnson. Pre-draft, there was talk of the Jets considering Johnson as an option in the top 10. Getting the Florida State product at No. 26 felt like the steal of the draft.
Johnson began his career in a rotational role for the Jets. He played in 14 games, starting none, and his average snap ratio was 34%. Johnson showed flashes of potential as a pass rusher and looked solid against the run, but he finished his rookie year with only 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, and 29 tackles.
Hopes were high for Johnson entering 2023, as teammates and coaches alike raved about the progress he displayed in the offseason. Once the lights came on, Johnson lived up to the hype, putting together a breakout second season that landed him in the Pro Bowl. Johnson collected 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 55 tackles (11 for loss), seven passes defended, a pick-six, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Johnson started all 17 games and led the Jets’ edge rushers with an average snap ratio of 66%, becoming a reliable three-down defender who could impact the game in a variety of ways. Going into 2024, the Jets are relying on Johnson to at least replicate his production – or perhaps even improve on it. After the team lost Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers, Johnson will assume an even bigger responsibility in the Jets’ edge unit. A second leap from Johnson would go a long way toward replacing the production lost in Huff and Franklin-Myers.
Johnson has already developed into a core piece of the Jets’ defense. But does the former first-round pick still have some untapped potential waiting to be unlocked?
In the latest Blewett’s Blitz film breakdown, we review 42 plays from Johnson’s 2023 season to showcase the improvements that led to his breakout and the areas where he can improve to take another leap in 2024.
The FULL, member-only Jermaine Johnson breakdown (42 plays) can be found beneath the YouTube snippet (must be a Jets X-Factor member and logged into the site).
Member-only Jermaine Johnson film breakdown
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More New York Jets film breakdowns from Blewett’s Blitz:
- DT Quinnen Williams
- C Joe Tippmann
- S Isaiah Oliver
- QB Tyrod Taylor
- DT Leki Fotu
- OT Morgan Moses
- G John Simpson
- WR Mike Williams
- DT Javon Kinlaw
- OT Tyron Smith
- EDGE Haason Reddick
- LB Jamien Sherwood
- S Ashtyn Davis
- TE Jeremy Ruckert
- S Tony Adams
- OT Carter Warren
- EDGE Will McDonald
- OT Olu Fashanu (Pre-draft and Post-draft)
- S Jaylen Key
- CB Qwan’tez Stiggers
- RB Isaiah Davis
- QB Jordan Travis
- RB Braelon Allen
- WR Malachi Corley
