Jermaine Johnson working hard to earn spot in Jets' DL rotation
Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II works out during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on July 30. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Jermaine Johnson didn’t expect to just walk onto the Jets’ practice field and be handed a starting job.
The rookie edge rusher is no stranger to working hard and proving himself. He went from playing at Independence Community College, where he was featured in the documentary ‘Last Chance U’ on Netflix, to being a first-round pick. Now Johnson is trying prove himself in a room that is the deepest and most talented one on the Jets.
“The only way you earn respect is doing things the right way and being a good teammate,” Johnson said. “You’re never going to walk into someone else’s house and be like, ‘This is mine now.’ It’s just not how you do things. It’s just coming in, earning respect and earning your place on the team.”
After using their top two picks on cornerback Sauce Gardner (No. 4) and receiver Garrett Wilson (No. 10), the Jets traded back into the first round to grab Johnson 26th overall. They’re high on the 6-4, 254-pound Johnson’s power and athleticism and believe he will make an impact.
Gardner and Wilson likely will start for the Jets, but Johnson’s road will be a little tougher because of the depth of the defensive line.
The Jets’ plan with Robert Saleh’s front four will be to come at teams in waves. They’ll keep rotating players in to keep them fresh and try to wear down a fatigued offensive line. Johnson is working to be in that rotation.
Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers will start on the edge with Quinnen Williams and either Nathan Shepherd or Sheldon Rankins on the interior. Franklin-Myers will move inside in some passing situations and third downs.
The Jets also have Jacob Martin, Bryce Huff and Solomon Thomas to play on the edge. All have flashed and impressed during camp. Johnson is improving. He had a "sack" of Joe Flacco in Wednesday’s practice.
It was only the third day of padded practices. The Jets want to see Johnson win more one-on-one battles in their three preseason games and in joint practices with the Falcons and Giants.
“We like where he’s at,” Saleh said. “He’s got all the athleticism in the world. When you come from college, you come from all of this no-huddle stuff, so you’re not used to the strain and the intensity at which you’re asked to play in the league, at least in our front. So, rotation is necessary.
“The one thing we want to see is the power aspect of his game. He’s got all the fluidity. He can work an edge. He’s got great hand-eye-coordination. He can do all that stuff. But the best way you win in this league is by running through people."
The Jets believe that will happen. They love Johnson’s game and mentality.
After his time at Independence Community College, he transferred to Georgia, where he spent two years and then to Florida State, where he had 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in his one season as a Seminole.
Johnson believes moving around and playing in different systems and with so many different players have prepared him well for the NFL.
“It’s helped me tremendously,” Johnson said. “The longest I’ve been in one spot is two years and that was Georgia. I’m very familiar with re-acclimating to new systems, new locker rooms. I’ve had no issues doing that. I just kind of learned how to do it the right way.”
Johnson said he’s learning from all the veterans, but he’s “leaning into” Vinny Curry, especially.
“He’s pointing to me,” Johnson said. “I think it’s helped me tremendously. I couldn’t be more thankful. Most of his energy is indirect. He doesn’t really have to say much. When he speaks it holds weight. I definitely listen as much as I can because I know his words are pretty much gold to me.”
The former Eagle has been that way for all the Jets linemen, offering tips. Johnson said Curry has told him to “keep my foot on the gas” and not let up. Johnson is following that advice.
“I think he’s doing a really nice job,” Saleh added. “He’s straining. He knows the playbook. Everything there is good. It’s just a matter of proving it and learning how to master his craft to where he’s just impossible to deal with.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
