Panthers 2022 draft scouting report: Jermaine Johnson has high upside

How would Jermaine Johnson fit on the Carolina Panthers?

• Key rotational defensive end/eventual starter

The Carolina Panthers have taken outstanding Florida State pass-rushers before. Brian Burns was their first-round selection in 2019, who achieved his first Pro Bowl last season after gaining a career-high nine sacks that could mean more is to come next time around.

Jermaine Johnson might not have Burns’ experience coming out of college. But it’s hard to envisage a situation where he fails to make his presence felt in the pros.

Trading down for more capital is the only way Johnson comes into Carolina’s train of thought. Even if he was taken, it’s likely that the coaching staff puts in Yetur Gross-Matos opposite Burns initially to see if he can propel in Year 3, with the incoming college recruit occupying a prominent rotational role before eventually becoming a starter.

In all honesty, Johnson ending up on the Panthers seems unlikely. It will take some doing to fill both the left tackle and quarterback problems before the draft, although judging by the high level of activity in free agency so far, it cannot be ruled out entirely.

If Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Travon Walker are in Tier 1, then Johnson probably heads up the second-tier of defensive ends just behind them. That is not a slight on the player whatsoever, who is going to be a star in no time at all providing areas of his game are tweaked this offseason.