Top NFL insider has Cardinals replacing Chandler Jones in 2022 draft

Peter King of NBC Sports recently shared his predictions for the 2022 NFL Draft, including the Arizona Cardinals adding a pass rusher in the first round.

In a few days, the Arizona Cardinals will make their first selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Currently, the Cardinals are sitting with the No. 23 pick in the first round, their first selection outside of the top 20 since 2016.

With their top pick, Arizona has a variety of options to choose from. The Cardinals can add another receiving weapon for Kyler Murray to throw to, they can pick a young blocker to keep Murray on his feet, they can add more help in their secondary, or they could look to replace some of the notable free agents they lost earlier this year.

Chandler Jones is one of the former Arizona players that landed with another team this offseason and NBC Sports’ Peter King is someone who thinks the Cardinals will use their first-round pick this year to replace the team’s longtime pass rusher.

Arizona Cardinals replace Chandler Jones with Jermaine Johnson in Peter King’s 2022 mock draft

The prospects in the 2022 draft pool includes a number of talented pass rushers. A bunch of them are expected to be off of the board by the time the Cardinals get their first opportunity to make a selection, however, there might still be a prospect available that can help them replace Jones.

King recently shared his predictions for the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and for Arizona he has former Florida State pass rusher Jermaine Johnson landing in the desert.

Johnson transferred to Florida State in 2021 after two years with Georgia and he had himself a breakout performance last season for the Seminoles. In 12 games last year, he accumulated 70 tackles (17.5 for a loss), 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass deflections, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Despite being 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, Johnson is one of the quickest pass rushers available in this year’s draft. His time in the 40-yard dash (4.58 seconds) was the same as former Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is considered by some as the top pass-rushing prospect from the 2022 draft pool.

Johnson has the potential to make a big impact as a rookie, and if he lands with the Cardinals, he might be able to help Arizona fans forget that Jones even left this offseason.