Eagles are linked to a once-promising first-round edge rusher

Once upon a time, Jermaine Johnson was viewed as one of the premier edge defenders in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He was selected by the New York Jets 26th overall. The Philadelphia Eagles had taken Jordan Davis in Round 1, only 13 selections earlier.

Today, Johnson’s name comes up more often in conversations about injuries and unrealized potential than about dominance. His sophomore season, however, showed what type of game wrecker he can be. He tallied 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble, and a recovery in 2023.

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Consistency and health have been elusive since. History has taught us that sometimes a change of scenery matters. Philadelphia knows that better than most after watching Mekhi Becton revive his value, at least temporarily, by leaving Florham Park.

Fair or not, the Jets have developed a reputation as a place where promising careers stall. Johnson may simply need the right environment to rediscover his trajectory.

Does Jermaine Johnson make sense for the Eagles?

Here’s something of note. Recently, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox experimented with a unique idea, an offseason trade block big board.

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Johnson landed fourth. The Eagles and Tennessee Titans were listed as logical landing spots. The reasoning isn’t difficult to follow. Philadelphia could soon face turnover along the edge.

Adding a 26-year-old former first-round talent with upside fits Howie Roseman’s history of buying low on premium traits. Here at Eagles Wire, we mentioned Johnson in our list of potential trade targets that could be available to the Eagles in a buyer’s market.

Our editor-in-chief, Glenn Erby, offered a few ideas to support the theory, and you’ll want to know what he said.

“In 2025, Johnson returned from an Achilles tear but regressed as a player, posting a 59.5 PFF run-defense and pass-rush grade across 678 total snaps. A former first-round pick, Johnson hasn’t played 750 snaps in a full season since getting selected… If the Jets use the second overall pick on an edge defender like Arvell Reese or David Bailey, Johnson — a 2027 free agent — could become expendable as Aaron Glenn looks for instant production at that position.”

If the Jets invest another high draft pick at the position under new leadership, that could give Roseman all of the ammunition he needs to strike. The Eagles’ current edge rushers on the roster are Brandon Graham, Jaelan Phillips, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Josh Uche, and Jose Ramirez. It’s important to note that Hunt, Smith, and Ramirez are the only players among that bunch who won’t become free agents on March 11.

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And that’s the real appeal here. This wouldn’t be about what Johnson was supposed to become in 2022. It would be about what he still could become in the right system, with the right coaching, on a roster built to contend now.

Sometimes, first-round talent just needs a second chance. Philadelphia has made a habit of being the place where those chances pay off. Time will tell if they go shopping in the Jets’ cupboard to find roster solutions again.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jets Jermaine Johnson could be an offseason trade target for Eagles