The 2022 NFL Draft is just hours away, and the news and rumors are flying around the league. Here’s the latest we’re hearing on Jermaine Johnson II, Kyron Johnson, and others in the lead-up to one of the league’s premier events.

2022 NFL Draft News and Rumors: Jermaine Johnson II climbing up draft boards

Jermaine Johnson II has come a long way from his Last Chance U junior college days and being a rotational backup on a deep Georgia defense. A breakthrough season after transferring to Florida State has propelled Johnson not only into the first round of the NFL Draft but firmly into the conversation as a potential top-10 selection.

Johnson is experiencing a meteoric rise up draft boards and has been linked as high as the New York Jets’ selection at fourth overall, according to league sources. Johnson visited the Jets along with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals.

A former blue-chip recruit from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Johnson had 70 tackles, 12 sacks, 18 tackles for losses, and 2 forced fumbles for the Seminoles last season. He was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

It was a huge jump in production from his time with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he finished with 7.5 sacks and 36 tackles in two seasons. Johnson doesn’t lack confidence or athleticism. At 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, he’s run the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds.

“I think I’m the best edge rusher in this draft,” Johnson said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Because I do everything exceptionally well. I play the run as well as I play the pass. Nobody in this class does that like I do.

“I’ve always had confidence in myself. You have to, going the path I did. I’m vicious. I’m physical. I’ll be on you the entire game. I remind myself that I am the best player on that football field.”

Versatile Kansas defender Kyron Johnson intrigues teams

Kansas LB/DE Kyron Johnson opened eyes at the Senior Bowl all-star game when he bull-rushed Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas to the ground.

Lucas is 6-6, 315 pounds. Johnson is 6-foot, 231 pounds.

Between his versatility as an edge rusher last season, leading the Jayhawks in tackles for losses and sacks, special-teams potential, running the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, and posting a 39.5-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot broad jump at his pro day, Johnson has helped his draft stock a lot.

He has visited six teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, according to a league source. Johnson was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last season who had 6.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 61 tackles, and 4 forced fumbles. Two seasons ago, he had 42 tackles (4.5 for loss), and 3 sacks.

2022 NFL Draft News and Rumors: Healthy Nevada WR Romeo Doubs trending upward

Nevada wide receiver Romeo Doubs checked a lot of boxes at his highly anticipated pro day. A knee injury sidelined him at the NFL Scouting Combine and the Nevada Pro Day, so he worked out at St. Pius X – St. Matthias Academy High School in Downey, Calif.

At 6-foot-2, 204 pounds, Doubs ran the 40-yard dash between 4.47 and 4.53 seconds with a 10-4 broad jump and a 34-inch vertical leap.

Doubs has drawn second-round to third-round grades from NFL teams. He visited the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Colts, and Minnesota Vikings, per a league source. He’s had recent Zoom calls with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, and has drawn steady interest from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Doubs is a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection and was a two-time candidate for the Biletnikoff Award. Invited to the Senior Bowl, he finished his career with 3,332 career yards to rank fourth all-time on the school’s charts and had 26 touchdown catches to rank fifth overall.

Last season, Doubs had 80 catches for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, including a 203-yard game against Fresno State. As a junior, he caught 58 passes for 1,002 yards and 9 touchdowns. In his sophomore season, Doubs caught 44 passes for 649 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Los Angeles native had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards as a Jefferson High senior and rushed for 1,757 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 354 yards and 5 scores. Doubs returned an 80-yard punt for a touchdown on his first collegiate touch, catching 43 passes for 562 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman.

Aggies’ Jayden Peevy drawing steady interest

A former coveted recruit, Texas A&M defensive lineman Jayden Peevy started every game last season. He was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording his first career interception and a career-high 7 tackles against Colorado.

Peevy visited the Las Vegas Raiders and worked out privately for the Colts, per a league source, and had recent Zoom meetings with the Tennessee Titans, Raiders, and Broncos.

He also had a dinner meeting and film session with the New Orleans Saints the day before the Aggies’ Pro Day workout. Peevy also met with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles privately.

Two seasons ago, he had 34 tackles in 10 starts and was named conference Defensive Lineman of the Week. In 2019, he blocked a point-after attempt against Alabama. He had 2 blocked field goals as a sophomore. Peevy was an All-American selection who had 10 sacks and 14 quarterback hurries with 77 tackles as a high school senior at Bellaire in Houston.