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Seahawks 2022 NFL draft: 3 edge rushers Seattle should take

By Lee Vowell

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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The Seattle Seahawks have several needs in the 2022 NFL draft. One of the more pressing items is to add an excellent pass rusher and there are many to choose from.

To be fair, I could be wrong on all the players that follow because maybe all of them are picked before the Seahawks at number 9 overall. But likely at least two of them will be left.

The question for Seattle in this year’s draft isn’t which player left is good enough to fill a position of need. It is which great player to get and assume they will immediately help a position group. Seattle just needs to make the right pick. Maybe one of the three players that follow will be wearing a Seattle uniform in 2022 and be a Pro Bowler soon thereafter.

Three edge rushers who would be smart choices for the Seahawks at pick number 9

Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

Johnson will likely be a very high pick but his college statistics aren’t exactly great. Still, his size and speed and motor are excellent. Johnson never takes plays off and Pete Carroll loves those kinds of guys, as he should. Players who give 100 percent on every play are more likely to create turnovers and make a splash play.

The concerning thing about Johnson may not even be his fault, however. Per Pro Football Focus Johnson had a pash-rush win rate of just 18 percent, 111th among players in that category. Some feel he underwhelmed overall in his college career.

But the thing is Johnson was on terrible teams in college and had little help and that isn’t his fault. Most of the attention was on him. Still, in 2021 he ranked in the top eight of college football in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (18). Johnson is going to produce at a good level in the NFL and will be around better players.

Johnson is fast (4.58 40-yard dash at the NFL combine) and athletic. He does need to learn a bit better technique and needs to learn to play the run better. But Johnson will be better coached if taken by the Seahawks because defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt is a good match for him.

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