Don’t rule out Jermaine Johnson to the Detroit Lions in the draft

Amid all the speculation over who the Detroit Lions will take No. 2 overall, Jermaine Johnson could be rising as a possibility.

The Detroit Lions brass says they’re ready for any possibility at the top of the draft later this month. As they survey options with “top-30” pre-draft visits, Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson was in town earlier this week.

Mostly, Lions fans are concerned about what happens if the Jacksonville Jaguars take Aidan Hutchinson No. 1 overall.

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker have surfaced as options for Detroit at No. 2. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis has surfaced at second overall in mock drafts too.

Back in late March Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required) wrote about Johnson as a possibility for the Lions at pick No. 2 in his mock draft. He didn’t attribute the possibility to any inside information. But he did make note of Johnson’s performance at the Senior Bowl, despite not playing in the game, and the fact Lions head coach Dan Campbell and his staff were there coaching the American team.

Could Jermaine Johnson be the surprise pick for the Detroit Lions at No. 2?

Johnson is not the favorite to be nabbed by the Lions with the second pick. Quite frankly, he should still be a real dark horse. But he would also be the kind of immediate starter Campbell said would be ideal (and probably advised) to get with the second overall pick. But that could be an attempt at a smoke screen, even if Campbell seems incapable of such subterfuge.

The draft is right around the corner, so all the questions will be answered shortly. With more needs on defense, the Lions need difference makers on that side of the ball. The against the grain pick at No. 2 would be Johnson, but Lions fans shouldn’t be too shocked if it happens.