Jermaine Johnson: Trade | Draft | PFF | Madden Rating | Age | Injury (Complete Guide 2026)

Jermaine Johnson has become one of the most talked-about defensive players in the NFL over the past few seasons. From his rise as a first-round draft pick to a Pro Bowl pass rusher and now a headline-making trade to the Tennessee Titans, his journey has been full of ups and downs. In this comprehensive article, we break down Johnson’s draft story, NFL performance metrics including Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, Madden NFL ratings, age and injury history, offering fans and analysts a complete profile of the 27-year-old edge defender.

1. Who is Jermaine Johnson? Early Life and College Roots

Jermaine Johnson II was born on January 7, 1999, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota and attended Florida State University after transferring from the University of Georgia. Johnson quickly made his mark in college football, showcasing rare athletic ability and disruptive pass-rush skills that caught NFL scouts’ attention.

At Florida State, he earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-ACC recognition, cementing his status as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2022 draft class. His blend of size, speed and motor made him a coveted edge rusher.

2. NFL Draft 2022: How Johnson Entered the League

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets selected Johnson with the 26th overall pick in the first round. The Jets were looking to bolster their defense, particularly with a young edge rusher who could generate pressure consistently. Selecting Johnson first round — despite some pre-draft debate over his ranking — gave him an early career platform to produce at the highest level.

3. Early NFL Career: Rookie Season and Breakout

Johnson’s rookie year in 2022 was a mix of learning and adjustment. As with many first-year defenders transitioning from college to the NFL’s speed and complexity, his production was modest but promising. By his second season in 2023, he showed clear signs of growth:

• 7.5 sacks

• Participated in all 17 games

• Earned a Pro Bowl selection based on his disruptive play

This breakout year established Johnson as a foundational defensive piece for the Jets.

4. Injury Setbacks: Achilles Tear and Road to Recovery

One of the defining moments of Johnson’s young career came in the 2024 season, when he suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Week 2. This injury forced him to miss the rest of the year — a significant setback for any edge rusher whose game relies on explosiveness.

Achilles injuries can be career-altering; however, Johnson displayed resilience. Reports from 2025 showed him cleared for practice and gradually integrated back into action after extensive rehabilitation.

5. 2025 Season: Return to Action After Injury

After missing nearly all of the 2024 season, Johnson returned in 2025 and contributed across 14 games. His raw stats for that season included:

• 43 total tackles

• 3 sacks

• Two passes defended

While not matching his 2023 numbers, these performances underscored a successful comeback from a major injury — particularly given the long timeline and difficulty in regaining top speed post-Achilles tear.

6. Trade to the Tennessee Titans in 2026

Perhaps the biggest recent headline surrounding Jermaine Johnson came in February 2026, when the Jets agreed to trade him to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat. The trade will become official at the start of the 2026 league year on March 11.

This deal reunites Johnson with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who became the Titans’ head coach after leaving New York. For Tennessee, adding Johnson to a defensive front in need of edge-rush talent was a priority, while the Jets freed up cap space and picked up a stout interior lineman.

Why This Trade Matters

• Titans: Gain a premium pass rusher who has shown Pro Bowl ability.

• Jets: Create salary cap flexibility and address interior defensive line needs.

• Johnson: Gets a fresh start in a familiar coaching system.

7. Johnson’s PFF Grades – What Analytics Say

Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades players using advanced metrics that go beyond traditional box score stats to evaluate impact in key areas.

In 2025, Johnson’s PFF metrics tell a deeper story about his performance:

• Overall PFF grade: 61.0 – solid mid-level performance

• Pass rush grade: ~59

• Run defense grade: ~58

• Ranked approximately 78th among edge defenders

These grades suggest that while Johnson wasn’t among elite edge defenders in 2025, his production — especially post-injury — was serviceable and showed positive influence on defense.

8. Madden NFL Rating: Gamer Perspective

In the virtual world of Madden NFL simulation, player ratings often reflect a combination of real-world performance, potential, and physical attributes. According to Madden League Manager data:

• 2025 Madden OVR: 84 (one of the higher edge ratings)

• Key Physical Ratings:

  • Speed: 85

  • Acceleration: 88

  • Strength: 82

  • Tackle: 89

Johnson’s Madden rating reflects both his physical gifts and his value as a defensive playmaker. For gamers and virtual franchise managers, an 84 OVR edge rusher usually represents a desirable defensive cornerstone.

9. Age and Prime Projection

As of early 2026, Jermaine Johnson is 27 years old. For an edge rusher, these are often peak years — blending experience with physical prime. While his injury slowed momentum, a full healthy season ahead could see him return to 2023-level production.

In terms of career trajectory:

• Drafted at age 23

• Peak physical years now

• Expected to build on 2025 recovery season

Many defensive players hit their stride between ages 27–30, meaning Titans fans may see Johnson at his best in the coming seasons.

10. Detailed Seasonal Stats Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of Johnson’s career production (2022–2025):

(Career stats aggregated via multiple sources and estimated across notes).

11. Strengths and Weaknesses — Scout Breakdown

Strengths

• Explosive pass rusher with solid power moves in Madden metrics

• Size and length create mismatch problems versus tackles

• Academically productive second season (2023) showing Pro Bowl-level play

Weaknesses

• Injury history — Achilles tear had measurable impact

• Consistency post-injury still developing

• PFF grades suggest room to improve against elite competition

These strengths and weaknesses paint a picture of a player with high upside but some volatility — typical of dynamic edge defenders with injury history.

12. What to Expect With the Titans (2026 and Beyond)

Joining Tennessee, Johnson enters a defense under familiar leadership. The key questions heading into 2026 include:

• Can he stay healthy and regain elite pass rush form?

• How will he fit into the Titans’ defensive scheme?

• Will he help elevate a front that lacks consistent pressure?

Based on his age, potential and past success, Titans fans should be optimistic — especially if Johnson remains on the field and regains his pre-injury explosiveness.

FAQs: Jermaine Johnson

Q1. What team drafted Jermaine Johnson?

Johnson was drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

Q2. Was Jermaine Johnson a Pro Bowler?

Yes, he earned a Pro Bowl selection after the 2023 season based on strong performance and sack production.

Q3. Has Jermaine Johnson been traded?

Yes — the Jets agreed to trade him to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, official at the start of the 2026 NFL league year.

Q4. What is Johnson’s Madden NFL rating?

In Madden simulations, Johnson’s rating was around 84 OVR in recent editions, with high physical ratings for speed and tackle ability.

Q5. What injury did he suffer?

Johnson suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2024, missing most of that season before returning in 2025.

Conclusion

Jermaine Johnson’s path — from first-round draft pick to Pro Bowl defender, recovery from significant injury, and a headline-making trade in 2026 — tells the story of a talented but tested NFL player. With his youth, physical tools, and fresh opportunity with the Tennessee Titans, Johnson’s next chapter could be defining for his career.

Whether you’re tracking his PFF grades, Madden rating, or real-world impact, Johnson remains one of the most intriguing edge defenders in the league. Future seasons will show if he fulfills his enormous potential.