When the Jets traded back up into the first round at No. 26 and nabbed Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. noted that Gang Green ended up with three of the Top 11 players on his board.
As it turns out, they actually got three in the Top 8 on their own board, making the selection of Johnson at 26 even more of a steal.
“We got better tonight, and what a great opportunity. A lot of credit goes to our coaching staff and scouts for all the hard work they put in to make this come to fruition,” general manager Joe Douglas said in the team’s press conference at the conclusion of the first round. “I feel fortunate we were able to get three players we can really help this team, that were in our Top 8. Excited about that.”
Cornerback Sauce Gardner, selected at No. 4, and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, taken 10th overall, were considered to be the top players available at their positions by many outlets. Neither was the first taken at their position, as LSU’s Derek Stingley went to Houston at No. 3 and Atlanta took USC wideout Drake London at No. 8, but clearly, Douglas had them rated no lower than where they were selected.
Johnson, meanwhile, was rumored to be a Jets target with that No. 10 pick, as he was considered a Top 20 prospect overall. When three pass rushers – Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kayvon Thibodeaux – were gone in the Top 5 picks, the Jets looked like they might pull the trigger on the ACC Player of the Year, but went with Wilson instead.
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And yet, 16 picks later, a three-for-two deal with Tennessee got them their man, and head coach Robert Saleh only had two words to describe the wizardry of Douglas at the open of their presser:
“He’s awesome,” Saleh said. “When you get three in the Top 8, you’re not expecting it. We were fortunate to be in a position to get our best available players as they come off ranked; Sauce was a very easy decision, and then getting to 10, Garrett Wilson was a very easy decision.”
And then, Saleh revealed why “he’s awesome” were his only words for Douglas.
“We get to 15, and our top guy is still there…Joe was working the phones. Being able to get him, you get three impact players at three premium positions,” Saleh said. “You dream of it happening, but it was a really good day, and a really good opportunity for these guys to come in and help this team get better.”
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And, apparently, a promise fulfilled.
“I’m so excited. I knew when I went on that visit it was something special; they said they’d come get me, and they came and got me,” Johnson told NFL Network’s Melissa Stark just after his selection. “I got the best fan base in New York, and we’re going to win some games.
A promise fulfilled, with a little extra motivation for Johnson having to sit in the green room and wait until 26 to hear his name called.
“100 percent; I’m a man of faith, but at the same time, I know what I’m worth,” Johnson said. “I’m so glad the Jets came and got me – we’ll wreak some havoc.”
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